The men rode into the castle yard, silent and grim. It was not a day for rejoicing and there would be no celebrating their return. They slowed their horses and came to a halt before swinging down from their saddles. Several of the men moved over and removed Morgan's body from his horse, preparing to bring him inside the castle.

"What is the meaning of this? Why have you returned so soon, where is Morgan?"

The captain stepped forward, the one who was, if not willing, then accepting of the fact he was going to have to face the wrath of the woman currently storming down the castle stairs toward them. "I'm sorry, my lady, but Morgan is dead."

She came to an abrupt stop and glared at him. "This is no time for a jest, Captain."

He shook his head. "I fear this is no joke. Morgan is dead, killed by Ranger Halt's daughter."

"A woman? Impossible!" she screeched as she shoved past him and through the men to look upon Morgan's body where the men had set him on the ground. She knelt beside him, a hand extended to rest against his cheek. "I won't allow them to gloat, to rejoice in your death, I swear I will avenge you." She leaned forward and very gently placed a kiss on his forehead.

"My lady, what are your orders?" the captain asked gently.

She rose and turned to face the soldiers, eyes blazing hatred and anger in equal amounts. "Bring his body inside, we will mourn him properly and then ..." she paused to stare at the small gathering of men. "We will show those Rangers exactly what it is they've begun."

The men scrambled to follow her orders as she stepped regally up the stairs and disappeared into the castle. The reverently carried Morgan's body inside and placed him on the dining table. He would remain laid out there until the mourning period was at an end and he was laid to rest.

All the while they were arranging his body, the lady of the castle stood back and watched in silence. Once he was properly laid out, she approached the table and placed a hand on his arm.

"You needn't fret. I will show those Rangers that they have messed with the wrong people. You may have failed because you underestimated a female, but I will not. Where you and father failed, I will succeed. Rest in peace my dear brother."

The Lady Morgana stepped back from the table, leaving her brother behind and headed up to his office. It was time she took a look at his plans. Time she took over and completed the task the men in her family couldn't complete.

It was time to show the people of Araluen their new ruler. It wouldn't be a man. No it was time for a woman to take the throne and she was the perfect candidate to do so.

"You need to beware, you fools. The daughter of Morgarath is going to show you who exactly has the power in this land."

They would never see her coming. Never expect a woman to lead the army that was going to put an end to them.