A War Ends

Chapter One: Chains

            Cheldric and I stared each other down. I was not ready for such an assault and I did not know enough to know how to run a kingdom. I was terrified inside and yet I had to refuse to show it. It was so difficult.

            ‘Order your men to stand down and no one else need die,’ he said to me in his dark, harsh tones.

            ‘I already have, Cheldric. I do not wish for more deaths and I am sure you do not want more of your men to die either.’

            Cheldric nodded his head though it was not to what I had said. I had been blind to what was going on around me. A man to my right grabbed my cloak and pulled me off my horse. With a struggle, he managed to hold my hands behind my back and force my head up to look Cheldric in the eye. He had dismounted during my small fight and stood over me like a preying hawk. ‘Give me one reason why I should not kill you here?’ he asked, pulling out a dagger from his sleeve.

            I wriggled my shoulders but my captor held me tight. ‘My men will not obey a foreign king, Cheldric. You of all people should know the loyalties of soldiers.’

            ‘Hahaha,’ he laughed, making me tremble where I knelt. ‘I do and that is why they will do exactly as you say or else you will die. Pick her up. We will not be treating her so cruelly now will we?’ He spoke to the man who held my arms back.

            I was picked up onto my feet very roughly and my hands still held though now at my sides. ‘What do you want, Cheldric?’

            ‘With an army this large there would only be one reason. I want your kingdom, Elara. And as long as I have you nearby, I know you will not resist.’

            ‘My men will not let this happen, I assure you.’ I spoke just as my knights rode over on their steeds; it was still upsetting to see two of them missing. My emotions were on a rough, ragged edge and I felt very raw inside.

            Cheldric pulled me into his side and held his knife to my throat. ‘Tell them to stand down or I will...’ he threatened in my ear.

            The sharp edge of the blade pressed to my skin, it was cold and sent a shiver down my spine. ‘Do not attack. That is an order,’ I spoke to them. Each of them in turn looked stunned but sheathed their swords nonetheless.

            Cheldric removed the dagger. Instead of putting it away however, he pressed the tip to my side. ‘Better.’ Then he spoke out loud for even my knights to hear. ‘Now, we will be making our way to Camelot and if anyone so much as tries to start another battle, I swear it will not end well for you or one of your knights.’

            Hearing the threat to my closest friends was enough for me to give in. ‘You have my word, Cheldric. My army will not attack yours, so long as you keep your word to me. Lancelot, give the orders.’ He was still my captain no matter what and he would not do anything to bring me to harm. Delrand had not returned and I wondered if he knew the trouble I was in. I had closed my mind off to everything; I knew there were still enough magicians around me that my mind was not safe. And Mordred was still about somewhere, he knew my weakness by now I was sure. ‘Release me.’

            Cheldric hid his dagger again but held onto my right upper arm with a tight grip. ‘So you can run away, I do not think so. Get on my horse,’ he ordered me.

            I had little choice but to do so, besides it would give Lancelot his steed back. My magic was no help. If I vanished away or killed anyone, including Cheldric, then one of my friends would be punished for it. I will not let that happen. Cheldric was offered another horse and took the reins of that I was sat on. ‘Before we leave, Cheldric, let me burn our men. They do not deserve to be left rotting on a field for the birds to gorge on.’

            ‘Very well. It would be a spectacle to see your magic at work.’

            Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mind and sparked a fire to their clothes. The crackling of the flames filled the air with sound whilst the smoke billowed up towards the clouds. The smell of burning flesh stung the back of my throat and made me feel nauseous almost immediately. I could have used my magic to smite down each and every one of Cheldric’s men but that was not who I was going to be. They were only here on orders and I had no right to punish them for that. There were two men I had to respect a lot more than just turn them to ashes. Galahad’s and Dagonet’s bodies rose up from the grass and I set them softly down on top of the mound. Stabbing their swords in the ground either side of my own, I took a deep breath just as their clothes set ablaze as well. Goodbye, I whispered in my head. Cheldric did not say a word to me, he pulled on the reins and we trotted off with my men surrounded by the mass that Cheldric’s army was.

*****

Delrand’s PoV

            The lake was not as big as I had thought. In the middle of the lake was an island; on the island was a single tree. I did not even know what I was meant to do. Elara had made me promise and I would not go back. I was surrounded by apple trees. Arthur’s body lay on the ground as I realised I was looking upon Avalon. All Elara had said was bring him to the lake; I felt in her head that it was very important. Still, I did not know what to do. I sat next to Arthur and waited for some sign or clue as to what I had been sent here for. Five minutes passed and I was no longer alone. The lapping of the water was the first thing I noticed. I looked up and saw a small boat making its way over from the island. In the boat was sat three women. Each was as beautiful as the others. Two had wonderful flowing blonde hair and the third had the blackest locks I had ever seen. I could not see their eyes as clearly.

            As the boat touched the shore, they each stepped out. I stood up as the two fair haired women attended to Arthur’s body. Although they did not say a word, I saw them crying as they so easily picked him up and laid him in the boat.

            The third woman stood in front of me. ‘Did Elara send you here?’ she asked. Her tone was so sorrowful but otherwise I would have said it was floaty and tuneful.

            I nodded my head, not sure if I should say anything. ‘Yes,’ I finally spoke. ‘You must be the Lady of the Lake,’ I assumed. I remembered the legends that had been written about this place though they were very few in number.

            ‘Yes, I am Nimueh. Thank you. Elara knew that Arthur had to be brought here.’

            The small boat remained at the water’s edge. The two other women sat either side of the king’s body. ‘I do not. I made a promise to her to bring him but I was given no reason.’

            She bowed her head in despair. ‘Arthur is not quite dead. Here he can recover from his wounds. Only when Albion is in grave peril from its enemies will he return to lead his people against it.’

            As she spoke, I looked around. ‘Does Elara know this?’ I asked. I had to know if I could say anything about this to her.

            ‘Yes, though I did not mention that he would not be dead when she sent him here.’

            I dropped to my knees, covering my face in my hands. If I had known, I could have saved him. Elara trusted me to do anything I could to keep him safe. ‘Why? I could have saved him. Elara would not have let me bring him here if she knew.’

            With a hand on my shoulder, she knelt beside me. ‘Exactly. She would have had you save his life. It is important beyond any other prophecy that Arthur rests here. I cannot say more than that.’

            I looked at her and in her eyes I saw that what she said was true. In fact, it was more than truth as though all her life she had been waiting for this moment more than any other. ‘Then I have done all I can?’ I asked.

            ‘Yes. And it is all any of us can do. It does not mean I want this to happen but that is what the prophecy says and so it has unfolded.’ She stepped away and stood next to the boat. She glanced over the body before speaking again. ‘There is one other thing. Where is Arthur’s sword?’

            Having let the astounding news sink in, I stood up and wiped my eyes. I could not help but cry; seeing how upset Elara had become seeing her father die had affected me just the same. ‘He gave it to Elara.’

            ‘I see. That sword is dangerous in the wrong hands, Delrand. You must make sure she keeps it safe.’ Her eyes suddenly darkened and a shadow fell over the valley. ‘That sword was given to Arthur and was meant to return with him. She knew this.’ Her personality reverted back to her serene, tranquil self from mere moments before. ‘Since I understand it will mean a lot to her, I will let this go. When Albion is safe again, she must return it and the scabbard as well.’

            I nodded my head. ‘I will let her know as soon as I can. Thank you, Nimueh.’

            ‘It is I who should thank you. Elara is lucky to have you as a companion. Take care of her, Delrand. Goodbye.’ She spoke to me as though she knew Elara very well. Nimueh was a being of magic just like myself although hers was very different from my own. She stepped into the small boat which oarlessly made its way back to the island. I was not sure of the full extent the magic circulated around the lake. A mist began to descend over the lake and shore; it was very faint but I was sure I heard the wailing cries of women in the distance. I left, taking their sadness with me.

            When I arrived on the edges of the battlefield, I was met with an unexpected scene. I knew there was a second army approaching Camlan but what I saw hit me hard in the heart. The banner that was being flown was among the many I did not know; that was a part of Elara’s knowledge. Clearly, however, this king was not an ally of her’s or Arthur’s. From the distance I was at, I could not hear what must have been said though I could see plain enough. Elara was being held by her arm to a man’s side. It was obvious that the man was the leader of the army. I had to do something. Then I remembered of my promise to her that I would not save her. My promise was my word and I would never break one to her even if it meant I could not protect her.

            ‘Wise decision,’ Mordred spoke from my left as I lowered my hand.

            ‘It would be wise of you to run away again, Mordred. Like you always do. What is in this for you? I do wonder what happened to you.’

            ‘Do not speak to me like you know me, Delrand,’ he spat. ‘We may have been friends once. That is no longer the case.’

            ‘I have missed these trifling conversations yet right now I have no time for them.’

            His chortle was no less spiteful than his words. ‘The feeling is mutual.’ I was all too ready for his tricks. We learnt most of our basic magic together though not always under Merlin’s eye. It had been so long since I last duelled with him in such a way though this time it was not on friendly terms. Unfortunately, our charms and spells did not last long.

            I found myself bound by magical chains; they were tight and I could feel they were not of Mordred’s doing. ‘I see your apprentice has learned your ways.’ Soon enough, Teyla appeared beside him. ‘Was it fate that Elara saved you?’

            The young girl looked older than her age. Her hair fell in ringlets either side of her face and her eyes were almost like dark circles to her light skin. ‘In my eyes, yes.’ It was as though she was an evil version of Elara herself. I could not believe she would wish harm to the person who gave her a life from certain death. The chains were removed from my body, only to bind my hands together. I was not about to move although I did not need to. In a flash, we were stood outside the prisoner cells; I could only guess we were in Camelot. Elara would have to ride here no doubt and that would take a few days.

            I spent longer than that in this claustrophobic room. My hands still tied together; I did try to release them but they would not budge. There was no warmth from the stone walls or the metal bar door. I did not expect anyone but the guards as company. I had lost count of the days; they were just a blend of light and dark. The only light through the nights were the torches until they were put out and then I only had the moon to go by for as long as it shone through the small barred window. After a long enough amount of days, I began to think Elara would not know where I was unless I told her. I reached out with my mind one day and tried to find hers. There was the faintest hint of it although if I was not so used to how her mind felt, I would not have found it at all. She was blocking everything out including me.

            I might not be able to speak to her but I knew how to read her even from just the smallest of connections. There was a whole mix of emotions running through her head and not least of all was fear. And I was afraid though not for myself; I did not care what happened to me just as long as I knew I would be leaving her in a safe place. As I sat on the hard stone floor, I shut my eyes and focused on her as much as I could. Beside the fear there was hatred and anger that boiled around each other as though one could not be there without the other. The sorrow over her father’s death still lingered yet it only revealed itself in the later hours of the day. I could not see what happened to her or what was going on around her though I could tell when she was among others or alone. When I felt she was alone, I wanted to be with her and tell her this will all be over soon.

            It was many days after again when I finally saw more than just this wretched cell. My chains remained but the door was finally unlocked. I was met by Mordred as I stepped out. He walked behind me as we climbed the stairs to the upper levels. Mordred relied on his magic far more than he should, I knew that much. I waited until we were in the longest hall I knew of and threw my hands to the left and hit him in the face. As he fell to the ground, I ran to the nearest door. Before my hands touched the doorknob, I was struck in the back. It was difficult not to use my magic even to free myself; I knew I could, it was easy but if I did I would risk Elara’s life and I would not do that. Mordred dragged me onto my feet from where he knelt on the floor and slammed me hard against the wall.

            ‘This helps no one, Mordred,’ I said through gritted teeth.

            ‘You do not help yourself by trying to escape.’

            He released his magic and I dropped back to my feet. ‘Why won’t you fight me? Fairly.’ After all this time of being my enemy, he would not duel me like any magician should.

            ‘There is no such thing as fair. Even you know that. I am sure you fight fair with Elara but you would never hurt her like you would me, if you got the chance.’

            I should have said what was on my mind but it was not the best place for a duel in such a thin corridor. I let him drag me onwards and we ended up in the throne room. I was so busy keeping an eye on Mordred that it took me too long to see her struggling to free herself. Elara was being held by two armoured men. Her hair was ruffled and messy and her eyes bore dark circles from all the sleep she had refused to take. The soldiers wore the same coat of arms on their tunics as I had seen in Camlan. I was not shocked to see her here though to see her mistreated so started an anger that burned from my heart to my head. I tried to step towards her though Mordred stunned me in my place.

            Elara was bound by no chains or ropes. ‘Mordred, you hurt him and I will kill you where you stand!’ she shouted.

            I was happy to see her fighting spark still alive even if her eyes were crying. Elara! I shouted in my mind. Do not taunt him.

            There was a sudden burst of life from her mind as she heard me. Delrand, I know what I am doing. I have been threatened, duelled and seen my friends go through the same every day since I got here. I do not need your help. I was so shocked to hear her speak so sharply to me. It seemed that Mordred had waited long enough to know she would harden her personality to anyone who spoke to her. But I am glad to see you, she added.

            I could not see if anyone else saw the gleam in her eyes as she said this to me. It was beyond difficulty for me to hide my smile. It is a relief to see you are not hurt though.

            Enough talk. I hated that Mordred knew how to seep into secretly open minds.

            ‘Are you not angry, Elara?’ spoke the same man that I saw holding her to his side in Camlan.

            ‘Let him go, Cheldric!’ That name was not familiar to me although I could tell it was Saxon of sorts. ‘You have my word. Is that not enough?’ Since her mind had been shielded from me all this time, I could not tell what sort of bargain she was forced into. Elara was as loyal as those who fought beside her; she would risk her own life before she let one of her own die for her. With Arthur gone, the most important person in Camelot now was her; we would all sacrifice our own lives before we let any harm come to her. As I thought of them, I glanced around the room and spotted each of her knights stood around, slightly concealed in the shadows. They were weaponless yet still wore their chainmail armour. I only counted four of them which meant Dagonet and Galahad died on the battlefield.

            ‘No, it is not.’ The foreign king stepped down from standing next to the throne and grasped her chin in his hand. I tried to struggle against my hold; Elara noted it along with Mordred. ‘See, you cannot hide it when someone close to you is in danger. The same goes for you, Delrand.’

            ‘All that means is we are more human than you are, Cheldric.’

            With three stern steps, he was in front of me and pointed a dagger to my chest. ‘I would hold your tongue if I were you or I will indeed do something inhumane.’ I turned my head away reluctantly. ‘That is better. Now, tell me, Mordred. Why have you kept him alive?’ It was obvious he was referring to me.

            Although there must exist some kind of pact between the two men, I was not sure why Mordred would answer to any man the way he did to Cheldric. ‘Trust me, if he was dead then Elara would not submit so easily.’

            Elara shook her head and giggled in a way I would not have expected of her at such a dark hour. ‘Oh, Mordred. You still have not learned.’