chapter forty-seven!
047. lancelot and odette

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    SHE FEARED the worst when Hengist's men arrived at her cell and dragged her to her feet. Odette couldn't struggle, even if she tried. They held her firmly by the arms and cared little at the way she hissed in pain the moment they dragged too hard, and her ankle▬still stiff and sore▬nearly twisted all over again. They pulled her from the dungeons and up towards the Great Hall of the rundown fortress. The moment she saw where they were taking her and saw the glint of the cage bars, Odette gasped and tugged▬but it was no use. Her heart pounded as they forced the cage door open and threw her inside the ring. Odette scrambled to her feet, trying to get out but the door was slammed close, and she was locked inside the same ring the Wilddeoren had eaten that man. She trembled, her fingers gripping around the iron. 

    "Morgana," sighed a voice behind her. Odette clenched her eyes shut for a moment, taking a sharp breath through her nose in desperation to hide her trembling. "Morgana."

    She turned around to meet Hengist's stare across the cage. She hunched up in her corner, and her heart jolted in a terrified beat▬she started to wonder whether this was worse. What would Hengist do to her? It didn't matter, because Odette had no means to escape it. 

    It was getting closer and closer to the evening▬still there was no word from Uther, as Odette expected. But there had been some part of her that was hoping something else would arrive▬someone else. Even though she knew she had Lancelot and he promised to get her out of here, Odette still felt almost ... hurt ... in a way she could not describe that those she cared about hadn't come to rescue her. It made her wonder whether she truly meant anything to them▬those dark corners of her cell brought horrible things to surface in her mind. 

    "I keep asking myself," went on Hengist as he approached her. Odette backed up further against the bars. "Why does Uther not pay the ransom? He's a rich man. Why would he leave his beloved ward to suffer a slow ... and terrible death?"

    "I do not know," Odette whimpered out, her voice hoarse and her heart pounding painfully against her ribs as Hengist got closer. She felt her shoulders hit the iron of the cage. He kept getting closer and closer. She shook her head. "P▬Please▬" he reached out a hand and she hitched a terrified gasp, "▬Please▬!"

    Hengist grasped her wrist in a painful grip, holding her there as he leered over her. Odette hunched up, looking away with her eyes clenched as she felt his terrible breath on her skin▬she could hide the way she was shaking now. She was terrified. "It must be very upsetting that Uther has abandoned you," sneered Hengist in a mocking pity. He leered so close Odette felt more than uncomfortable. "It seems..." he whispered into her ear and she whimpered, struggling to get away▬but she was trapped. "Like no one in the world cares for you."

    He didn't move away. She felt her skin crawl▬especially when his other hand brushed her hair out of her face. "I don't know!" she choked in a petrified whisper, her words slipping together. "I▬I don't know why he doesn't pay. Please, please, I don't know."

    Hengist lingered close to her for a moment longer, but it felt like ages. Odette hunched up, desperate to even get an inch away from his horrible breath. At last, he threw her wrist out of his grip and she stumbled. He stepped back. "Take her to her cell," he told his men waiting outside the cage door. 

     Odette stumbled when she was tugged out of the cage. She could barely keep up as the man dragged her back down into the dark corridors of the dungeons. She felt her chest cave in and her throat close up▬she did not say a word; she couldn't without the fear she'd burst into tears. The man viciously opened the cell door and pushed Odette inside.

     She gasped when she hit the ground, her knees bruising and the impact sending shudders up her arms. Odette slumped there for a moment, trembling and vulnerable as she heard the door slam close. 

    The young maid glanced upwards and once she knew she was alone, a sob escaped her trembling lips. She sat there on the stone floor for a moment, feeling weak and pitiful. Odette couldn't stop shaking as she crawled to the miserable bed in the corner of the cell. She whimpered a sob at the pain in her ankle that flared up once more. 

    Odette cried, pulling Morgana's cloak tight around her body as she hid herself in the corner of the cell among the shadows. She cried and she cried▬and even though she knew otherwise, Hengist's words clouded her mind until they became suffocating like the shadows. What if ... what if there really was no one in this world that cared for Odette?

    She had been left as a newborn to die in the storms. The woman who found her and became her mother died. Odette had been cast out and left to starve, forgotten and alone▬no one cared about her then. Even when she was given another chance to live ... what life was that? Odette was nothing. She meant nothing. She was forgotten in the shadows▬left to gather dust and never be seen or heard. No one will remember her name when she died. 

    Just like her mother, she will be forgotten, too. Would she have a grave? Or maybe she'll be thrown into a mass burial with no blessing and no hope to make it to Heaven. Odette was doomed to be left as nothing▬always lost and always wandering. 

    She sniffed once her tears ran dry▬and her eyes were sore and her head heavy with exhaustion, but Odette refused to sleep. She sat there as the four walls of her cell got darker and darker as the sun set; colder and colder. She shivered, but she did not move. 

    Evening dawned more shadows and more feelings of helplessness. Odette was scared of the dark when she was a little girl. Her mother always had to light a candle because she couldn't sleep▬and then she'd stay up with her in the antechambers (or wherever they slept that night) and tell her sweet, soft stories. Sometimes she'd sing sweet hymns and ballads until little Odette would drift asleep from her exhaustion, safe and protected in her mother's arms. Only then could she blow the candle out and they'd get sleep▬and Odette would never move away from her mother's embrace the entire night until the morning. 

    Odette grew out of that fear of the dark▬or maybe it turned into something else. That didn't matter because she knew that right now, that fear returned and it caged her with the claws of monsters and horrible thoughts. And it wouldn't be going away for a long time. 

    Lancelot promised her he would arrive at her cell tonight to help her escape. Odette found herself waiting on the edge of the bed for him to show up▬for her last breath of hope to return to her. She waited and she waited. She waited as the cell kept getting darker and darker as the moon rose to replace the sun. 

    She found herself frowning slightly when she didn't hear any chatter from the guards down the corridor. Odette kept her breath still and her ears piqued, but she did not hear even a murmur from them. 

     Perhaps it was seconds▬maybe it was minutes. Odette sat there, her heart racing and her breath hitched in anticipation until she heard footsteps on the stone. Keys knocked together in the silent corridor. And there he was. Lancelot smiled at her through the bars of her cage and the weight in Odette's chest lifted with joy. The lonesome Knight slipped the keys into the lock and pulled open the door. He stepped inside and held out his hand for her to take. 

    "My Lady," he greeted her with a smile, "we haven't a moment to lose."

     Odette was on her feet, taking Lancelot's hand and the warmth of it encased her▬it filled her with relief and she knew she was safe. She moved as quickly as she could, following him out of the cell and down the empty dungeon corridors. She stayed close to his side, her heart racing with nerves. 

    He took her down a corridor to the left and then to the right▬they seemed to be heading deeper and deeper through the passageways underneath the ancient castle. Odette didn't remember the moment the stone turned to dirt and sand at her feet. Lancelot glanced behind them, making sure she was okay and still with him every now and then▬gently placing a hand on her back and guiding her in front of him. His other hand was wrapped around the hilt of his sword at his side. 

    Their breaths were soft but heavy; their hearts were pounding in their ears. They did not speak as they kept running▬as fast as Odette's ankle would allow her to. They didn't have much longer before the guards would wake, and Hengist would learn of her escape. 

    Odette grasped Lancelot's arm whenever she felt like she was going to stumble, forcing herself to keep going. He supported her, keeping her close with a concerned breath. But it was enough to give her the reassurance to continue▬that there wouldn't be much longer until they were free; until she was finally safe.

    She glanced at him every now and then, her skirts brushing around her ankles as she held them up with one hand. Her heart was pounding with another feeling to see him beside her▬Her Knight in shining armour, having rescued her from her death; her Lancelot. A man with the looks that belonged in a ballad▬where he was the hero and she was the damsel he must save. Odette never took a moment to realise how terrifying those stories truly were, but those damsels and princesses always had hope to guide them to the end. They were strong and never gave up▬and that was what helped them survive. Right now, Odette has to be strong and not give up. She might not have her sunrise, but with Lancelot, maybe she had the strength to live without it▬to not need it. 

    But then Lancelot slowed them down. He glanced behind them over his shoulder before gently guiding Odette towards another tunnel to their left. He turned her to face him, making sure he had her full attention. She frowned to see a breath of urgency in his eyes▬a sternness that told her she must listen, and listen carefully. 

    Sir Lancelot pointed down the corridor. "Follow this tunnel," he told her. He was breathing heavily. "It will take you out beyond the castle walls. I will buy you as much time as I can."

    Odette's frown deepened. "But you are coming with me," she said, nodding. It wasn't a question. 

    Lancelot sighed to himself and held her hand up between them. "Odette, you must go."

    She realised what he was doing▬again. She shook her head. "No," she let out, confused and surprised. "No, you are coming with me, yes? You said you would come with me."

    He squeezed her hand and took another breath, stepping in closer to try and convince her. "I cannot go with you. I will stay here and give you time to escape▬"

    "No," Odette argued, more determined this time. Her stomach twisted with dreadful worry and desperation. She stepped closer to Lancelot as well, frantic for him to listen. "No, I am not leaving you! I will not!"

    A year ago, Odette would have listened▬she did. She let Lancelot take his horse and ride away from her, and she watched him go with a blessing in her heart. But this time, she refused. She will not let him do the same to her. She will not stand there at the window of the tower and sigh with a breath of sadness, waiting for him to return even though she knows he won't. She would not watch him leave her to forget him. This time it was different. This time, Odette will make it different. 

    Lancelot closed his eyes. Stubbornly, he told her: "You must▬"

    "No." She was just as stubborn▬if not more. "I will not leave you here to die!"

    He pursed his lips and let go of her hand to gently cup her cheeks, cradling her head with a delicate touch▬as if he were touching a beautiful flower and he cherished the petals with every breath he held. "Odette," said Lancelot, "I would die for you a hundred times over." She started to feel tears. She kept shaking her head, but he spoke again before she got the chance. "Live for me, or everything that I am has been for nothing."

    She took a shaky, tearful breath. "No," she told him. "No, I will not watch you go. You promised me. I do not want you to die for me, Lancelot. I want you to live▬I wish for us to live and do all the things we wish to do, together. That is all I wish for in this world. Is that not what you wish, too?"

    They were running out of time, but Odette would not leave. Lancelot rested his forehead against hers and she bit back a whimper of heartbreak, closing her eyes. "Live for me, Lancelot," she begged, "please. Fight and come back to me and we will ride wherever the sun shall take us. I cannot lose you."

    Her eyes fluttered open and she met his gaze, her breath hitched with a silent plea. Lancelot gently caressed her cheeks, something glinting in his warm brown eyes as he made a decision. Then he leaned in and kissed her. Odette held her breath when he did, holding onto him for as long as she possibly could. This kiss was his promise to her▬his answer, she knew it deep within her bones ... and yet when he pulled away, Odette felt empty of it. 

    "Go," Lancelot told her again. "Run," he nodded to the corridor ahead of her. "Do not stop running until you are well away from here. I will come and find you by sunrise. I promise."

     She nodded. She took a step back, and yet she still hesitated. Lancelot noticed and said again, stern and severe: "Run."

     Odette hung there, still not wanting to leave him▬but he told her he would return, and so she trusted that he will. He promised her and Lancelot was a man of his word. He was honourable and wonderful. So, with a deep breath, she spun on her toes and ran down the dark corridor as fast as she possibly could. 

     She picked up her skirts and she ran, stumbling and fighting the urge to cry. She heard yells and the sounds of swords meeting in battle behind her▬she heard Lancelot's shout and she skidded to a stop. Odette glanced back, her heart in her throat. 

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    ARTHUR SCOWLED through the cover of the underbrush down into the valley. Pillars and turrets that were once mighty were now slowly crumbling as years passed by, and the castle in the Vale of Denaria had become a ruin for bandits and ruthless minds. He could hear the laughter and loud chatter▬yells and uncivilised activities that made the Prince set his jaw. Odette was trapped and forced amongst it, and he had no idea what they could have done to her▬Arthur was livid to think of what she might have gone through. The moon shone over the valley, and the high slopes of hills and mountains seemed to block out the silver glow, sending them into a blanket of darkness. 

    Ronyn and Merlin hovered at either shoulder, narrowing their stares next to Arthur▬huddled close and silent. Arthur continued to scowl as he tried to figure out the best plan to get inside; his gaze travelled across the small village slums and towards the guarded entrance. They wandered upwards to the walls where he found an old guard tower; there was no light which told him it was most likely abandoned due to its unsteady and collapsing state. But because it was a guard tower, it should take them directly down to the dungeons. 

    "We will have to scale the walls," Arthur told his two companions in a murmur.

    Merlin took one look at the tower and shook his head. "Maybe there is another way in."

    The Prince frowned at his manservant. "Of course," he said sarcastically. "Perhaps you could go and knock on the front gate? I am sure if you ask nicely, they will hand Odette right over to you."

    Merlin shot him an annoyed look but didn't say another word as Arthur pushed onwards. Ronyn shrugged when the gaze moved to him before the both of them followed. 

    The three of them crept their way through the underbrush and low-hanging trees, keeping to the edge of the forest for as long as they could until they were far away from the firelight. They slid down the grassy slope, keeping low and silent until they made it to the foot of the crumbling guard tower. Arthur glanced up at its tall, tilting height and took a determined breath through his nose. He tugged off his gloves and searched for a handhold, ready to climb to the very top, no matter the danger, to get to Odette. He would climb a thousand crumbling towers, even if they reached past the clouds and into the never-ending sky; all for her. 

    One hand-hold and one foot-hold at a time, the Prince climbed the dangerous tower. Some of the stones even crumbled and fell away just at his touch, but it did not deter him. Below him, Ronyn and Merlin followed▬in the dark, they tried to follow Arthur's stead; keeping to the same path in order to make sure they didn't try and grasp a loose stone that would send them falling. The shadows kept them hidden as they scaled the back of the guard tower, but it also made it very hard to see where they were going.

    Merlin nearly died ... maybe ten times? And he wasn't even halfway. 

    Arthur scaled with a determined speed, almost leaving them in the dust underneath his feet. If he was struggling or was growing tired, he did not show it nor did he falter in his pace. He had to make it to Odette in time. 

    However, as they made it past the halfway point of the tower, he finally glanced down▬as if to check whether they were still alive. He noticed Ronyn giving him a scowl amongst his flushed cheeks in the effort it took to continue to pull himself up (he had fuelled his determination through the satisfaction he will have the moment he got back at Arthur when they returned home ... perhaps he will accidentally let a rat loose in his chambers and watch it eat holes in all of his socks ... or something a bit more creative▬it's a work in progress).

    Merlin▬poor Merlin▬was struggling the most. Each time he pulled himself up, his arms shook and his legs trembled. When Arthur glanced down, he saw him miss a handhold and almost fall right to his death. Merlin only just caught himself in time, eyes wide with shock. 

     Arthur rolled his eyes. "You really are completely useless, Merlin, are you not?"

    Merlin stared up at him, shocked. "W▬What▬?" he nearly fell again. Small pieces of stone crumbled down the side of the tower. "It's▬It is harder than it looks."

    He then forced himself to continue, even though the rocks started to scratch at his fingers and make them bleed. Merlin and Ronyn stared, annoyed as he left them in the dust once again. 

    "Oh," Merlin let out, scoffing, "now you are just showing off!" he called up after the Prince. 

     "Prat!" Ronyn called after him as well before grunting as he pulled himself up to the next handhold. "You are a clotpole, Arthur!"

     "Hey," Merlin glanced at the Lord Vecentia, if not mildly offended. "That is my word."

    When they made it to the top of the guard tower, at last▬alive▬Merlin nearly dropped. But Arthur gave them no room to rest. Even though he was running on barely any sleep and probably deserved to drop in exhaustion out of all three of them, he pulled Merlin up and then led the way down the crumbling staircase. 

     They descended down into the depths of the old fortress. As they got further down, the chatter and voices of guards got louder. Soon, they were right outside the main dungeon corridor. Something was going on▬they could hear it deeper down the hallways towards the centre of the castle. Slowly, Arthur, Merlin and Ronyn all peered out around the stone corner, setting their eyes on three guards playing a game of dice in the torchlight. 

    Arthur already had a plan. He glanced at Merlin and murmured very lowly so the guards wouldn't hear: "You distract them, Ronyn and I will knock them out."

    Merlin frowned up at him, confused. "Wait ..." he whispered back. "How do I distract them?"

    The Prince resisted the urge to grumble a few curses. He rolled his eyes, took a breath to calm his frustration and gently leaned in as if to explain to Merlin what he wanted to do. Then, as his manservant fell for the trick, he grabbed a fist hold of his jacket and shoved Merlin down the steps▬right in front of the guards.

     Merlin stumbled to a stop in front of them. He stood still, shocked and staring as all three of the guards looked away from their games to frown at him. There was a moment of silence where none of them knew exactly what was going on▬or what to do. Merlin managed an awkward chuckle. 

     At this, the men stood up. They unsheathed their blades. 

    "What are you doing there?" one of them asked. He was missing some teeth. 

     "Nothing," said Merlin quickly. He walked around in a circle and the men followed until their backs were facing the corner where Ronyn and Arthur were hiding. "Actually," went on Merlin, "it is a funny story. Um▬I was ... out walking and I took a wrong turn," he chuckled again, "and here I am. Do you know the way to the Veil of Denaria?"

     "Who are you?" demanded the second guard.

     "Me?" Merlin stammered. "Oh, uh▬I▬I am no one..." his words trailed off as he watched Arthur and Ronyn creep up behind the three guards without them noticing until they were right behind them. Merlin pointed to his friends. "It is them you need to worry about."

     The guards had no time to react. Ronyn swung his fist against one while Arthur smacked the other two in the back of the head with enough strength to knock them out straight away. Soon, all three guards were sprawled, unconscious at their feet. Arthur dusted off his hands with a look to Merlin, smug▬well, what did I say?

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    IN THE CENTRE of the crumbling fortress, the entertainment was in full wings. Men gathered around the centre cage with jeering laughs and cackles, baring their teeth in mean snarls and taunting the prisoner inside the bars. The entire grand hall was packed with stinky bandits, and they pushed and shoved each other to try and get a front-row seat. Hengist was amongst them, chuckling lowly as he prowled the perimeter of the cage like some animal circling its prey▬his small, beady eyes narrowed onto Lancelot inside, on his knees and his hands tied; at his mercy. 

    Lancelot took a brave breath through his nose, daring not to show any fear as he was locked in the same cage men before him had died horrible deaths▬had their skin and bones ripped apart by a horrifying beast. He kept his jaw clenched and his hands clenched in their rope ties, feeling some peace at least to know that somewhere, Odette was safe. 

   He watched as Hengist stopped his preying circle and leaned against the bars. "Before you die," he rested his head against the iron and stared at Lancelot right through the gaps with a merciless look. "I can promise you, the most unimaginable pain." 

    The crowd roared in approval at this. Hengist bared his teeth in a horrible grin. 

    Lancelot felt his heart skip a beat of fear, but he did not show it. He swallowed that terror and told Hengist as he continued to circle the cage: "You can do what you will with me. I do not care. You can do no harm to Odette."

    The Bandit King's brows lifted in mock surprise. "Oh, was that her name?" he said with no interest or care▬nothing except sickening amusement. "A serving girl?" Lancelot took another deep breath. Hengist tilted his head and chuckled. "And you really believe she is worth dying for?"

    Lancelot chuckled. He shook his head and glanced upwards as he felt his heart swell with warmth, even with his death around the corner. That is the gift Odette has given him, and he will die with pride and happiness knowing it. "She is worth more to me than you will ever understand."

    The growing crowd of bandits laughed. Lancelot set his jaw. He watched Hengist chuckle and then stop once more. He wrapped his hands around the bars and leaned in, locking eyes with the men guarding the gate to the tunnels below. He nodded.

    Lancelot frowned and tried to glance over his shoulder as the gate was pulled upwards. Something shifted in the darkness▬scuffling. His eyes widened and he felt his heart shatter to pieces at his feet when he saw two men haul Odette up out of the darkness and into the cage. The entire room was filled with laughter and cheers, but Lancelot drowned them out as he met Odette's tearful stare. She shook her head as they forced her to her knees in front of him. 

    Her hands were tied behind her back, too. Her hair had fallen over her face which was scuffed with grime. Morgana's dress was ripped at the sleeves▬she had struggled, but Odette had been no match against Hengist's men. "I am sorry," she whimpered amongst the loud jeers and shouts. "I could not leave you."

    Lancelot didn't know what to say. He was speechless▬with pain, with anger or disappointment; no, he was distraught that after all he had done to get her out of here, alive ... he had failed. And here Odette was, about to die the same horrible and painful death he will. He didn't blame her, he blamed himself. 

    Hengist watched them with malice. He chuckled. "You thought she had got away," he sneered. "No ... you failed her." Odette's heart clenched and she shook her head, but Lancelot did not see▬his gaze focused on Hengist and those words shot a blow to his heart more painful than any sword. "And that must hurt you..." Hengist snickered and put on a mocking voice: "'More than I will ever understand...'"

     Odette was forced forward on her knees and she nearly tripped. She refused to cry as they placed her against Lancelot. She felt his back against her own, their hands brushing together as they sat in the centre of the cage. As the men who brought Odette in left, they were without escape▬locked back in and under the vicious eye of everyone here; and Odette knew they were waiting for the moment the gate doors would shoot upwards and the Wilddeoren would crawl its way out for its evening meal. 

    She was facing the gate head-on. It would be here that the beast would most likely feast on first. Odette will see her death and will not be able to look away▬she tried to be brave; she tried to keep her pride in this moment. But where was any pride when she was tied, trapped in a cage for beasts and men▬nothing more than entertainment for men who were more like beasts than the vicious creature they kept in chains below the castle floor. 

    Hengist had returned to his throne of bones and laughed amongst his men. "What do you say?" he yelled out into the roaring crowd. "Shall I spare them?"

    There was laughter, and then a chant followed. Just like the first night Odette had been here and saw that man be mauled to death in this very same cage, the bandits around them shook the bars and got to their feet: "Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill▬!" they all cried, eager and excited. Odette closed her eyes for a moment, her heart pounding with terror.

    She let her head fall back and it rested against Lancelot's shoulders. Odette opened her eyes and couldn't help but shed a tear as their lives slipped away like sand falling in an hourglass. "Lancelot," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I▬I am sorry. This is my fault."

    "You have nothing to be sorry for," Lancelot told her, his as melodic now as it has always been, even when their lives were at stake. "You reminded me of who I am. I will die with faith in my heart. That is worth more than anything." He squeezed her hand as much as he could and she gripped it tight in return, her breath becoming shaky as the sand continued to slip more and more▬falling through the gaps until there was nothing more of this life Odette had.

     But there was one breath of pride Odette did still have. It was her choice. She had chosen to stay▬to not leave Lancelot even now. If this is how she will die, then she will die knowing that she has chosen something for herself. It might have given her tragedy, but with Lancelot behind her, she was happy to think that at least they got to spend the rest of their lives together▬however fleeting it would become.

    These were their last moments, but these moments were spent together. Odette took a shaky, but courageous breath and found Lancelot's fingers with her own. She linked them together, holding on as tight as she could with her restraints and found him doing the same, even if they could not glance at one another. 

     She took another deep, shaky breath: "Lancelot, I..." Odette's words faded away as she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes then widened. Her words were lost as she hitched her breath, and it was disguised in the loud roars from the crowd. The fear that clouded her chest dissipated and something else swelled when she saw him. 

    The lower half of his face was covered in a bandit's scarf. He wore their chainmail and leather, buttoned vest▬but she recognised him, still. He stepped into the crowded room with an air of authority he could not disguise no matter how hard he tried, his blonde hair hovering low over his eyes. Arthur. 

    He was here. He had found her. 

     Following close behind were Merlin and Ronyn, both dressed similarly in clothes they must have stolen from guards. Odette wanted to cry with relief. It took everything in her not to call out Arthur's name▬but even if she did not, he found her. The Prince's gaze settled on the young handmaiden behind the bars, and even though she had moments before she would die, Odette's face lit up ever-so-slightly. She did not even realise she did it. 

    That was until Hengist's voice bellowed out into the raging crowd. "RELEASE THE WILDDEOREN!"

     Odette's head spun back around to the gate and her breath hitched in terror. At Hengist's command, the gate sprung upwards and out from the darkness, screeched the Wilddeoren. Odette hitched back a scream as she desperately tried to shuffle away, her back pressing up against Lancelot's as the ugly, vicious creature crawled into the cage. 

    All of the bandits around them were cheering with horrifying glee as the Wilddeoren sniffed around, trying to find its prey. Odette felt Lancelot stiffen and try to pull her away just by his hand▬desperately kicking a leg out as if to deter the vicious creature as it fixed its blind, wrinkly but terrifying eyes onto them. It screeched and bared its tusks▬they still had dry blood on them. 

     There was commotion outside the cage. The bandits raged in fury as Arthur pushed through them all, charging the cage at a running start▬he leapt up and grabbed onto the bars, pulling himself up and over. He leapt down and landed in the cage near Odette, drawing his sword. He pulled down the scarf and Lancelot stared, shocked. "Arthur▬" he let out, surprised to see him.

     Arthur spun his blade and brought it down between Odette and Lancelot, tearing the ropes that were keeping them tied together. Ronyn landed down not long after, chucking a second blade to Lancelot as he got onto his feet. He spun it and turned towards the Wilddeoren. 

     The Prince pulled Odette up by her arm and dragged her behind him, and she was breathless at all that was happening. She yelped a little bit when the bandits outside the cage tugged at her sleeves and her dress, trying to pull her towards them. She stumbled forward. 

     Meanwhile, the Wilddeoren shrieked and bared its tusks at the group of them, launching forward. Arthur scared it back with a mighty sweep of his blade, keeping himself in front of Odette. Ronyn skidded to the Prince's side, thrusting his own sword forward as the creature tried to leap at them again. "I hate these things!" he shouted as he did. 

     Lancelot spun his blade and brought it down onto the Wilddeoren's bare skin; he sliced a mark and it screeched at him in fury. Ronyn and Arthur couldn't help but watch the lonesome Knight, shocked that he was even here. 

     "What are you doing here, Lancelot?" Arthur parried the beast away from them once more. Odette glanced back and noticed Hengist wasn't at his throne. She hitched her breath and searched for him, anxious. She couldn't find him in the crowd. At a rather loud screech, she gasped and spun back towards the Wilddeoren. Ronyn tried to stab it but the beast was surprisingly quick, dodging backwards. 

     "I came to save Odette," replied Lancelot, briefly glancing at the Prince as he made a rather aggressive strike towards the creature. "What about you?"

     Arthur narrowed his eyes at Lancelot. "Likewise," he muttered and brought his blade down. Odette glanced back at the crowd, now not only searching for Hengist but also Merlin. He noticed and snapped. "Odette!"

     Ronyn took his place, swiping his sword in a wide arc to deter the beast as Arthur grabbed Odette's arm and tugged her along with them as they slowly circled to keep away from the Wilddeoren. "Stay behind us!" he told her, urgent.

     "Sorry!" she let out, gripping the leather of his vest for a moment as she steadied herself on her ankle. "Sorry▬!" she added when she accidentally pulled him off balance. "Where's Merlin? Merlin!" she shouted into the crowd. But her voice was drowned out by the furious yells and shrieks from the Wilddeoren. 

     There was a loud crack! Something snapped from above. The wooden chandelier miraculously broke from the ceiling and toppled down right before Hengist could pull the trigger on his crossbow. He leapt out of the way. The bandit next to him wasn't so lucky. Odette let out a breath, knowing it had been Merlin who saved their lives at that moment. 

    She noticed Hengist draw his sword. "Oh, no▬Arthur!"

     He noticed, too. The Prince spread out an arm to keep her behind him. Ronyn and Lancelot were on either side, desperately trying to battle off the vicious beast before them. As Hengist raced for the cage, he searched for a way out. 

     Ronyn came up with an idea in the midst of distress. "Arthur, the tunnel▬!" he pointed to the open gate. He grabbed Odette himself, already pulling her towards the exit. "Come on▬!"

     Arthur shoved Lancelot along and searched for his manservant. When he didn't find him, he shouted: "MERLIN!" That was when he noticed somebody struggling to get to them▬somehow, Merlin had found himself stuck on the ground, crawling between the bandits' legs. Arthur sighed. "Do not sit there, cowering▬let's go!"

     Merlin jolted to action. He scrambled up onto his feet and leapt up as high as he could onto the cage bars. He managed to climb up and over, tumbling over onto the other side. Arthur snatched his jacket and tugged him to his feet when he landed, sprawled on the ground. "Come on!"

     Odette pulled away from Ronyn to grab Merlin's arm and tug him down into the tunnel behind their three battle-ready friends. She glanced at the sorcerer and couldn't help but let out a soft sob of relief to see her closest companion. For a moment, Odette had truly believed she would never get to see Merlin again. 

     Hengist made it to the cage door and forced it open. He and one other bandit leapt into the arena, their swords at the ready. Arthur, Ronyn and Lancelot all took the chance to descend back into the tunnel while Hengist and the bandit fought the Wilddeoren off to reach them. 

     Arthur rushed towards Odette immediately and she was surprised by it▬so surprised that she let him take her arm and start to pull her along, deeper down the tunnel. Until her ankle played up and she gasped. "Wait, wait▬Arthur▬"

     "What?" He let out, stopping and turning to her as the others joined them. "What is it?"

     "My ankle▬" she glanced down at it, wincing. "I injured it. I▬I'm sorry, I▬"

      If Arthur was annoyed, he didn't show it▬if anything, he looked concerned for her. Hearing her, Lancelot glanced back. He didn't hesitate. He spun his blade and held it up, staring down the open gate. Back inside the cage, Hengist was getting closer. The bandit that had joined him was now on the ground, bleeding out from a horrible wound on his stomach from the Wilddeoren's tusks. 

     Lancelot took a deep breath: "Take Odette!" he said. "I will hold them off."

     Odette's eyes widened. "Wait, no▬" she tried to go to him to stop him. "Lancelot, please!" Her heart pounded, and she shook her head at him. Why would he do this▬why would he risk his life again when they had a chance to escape together? Wasn't that important to him like it was to her?

     He met her gaze, but she didn't get the chance to hear his answer. Because before she knew it, Arthur grabbed her arm gently and pulled her back towards him. "Odette, we have to go▬" he was trying to be patient with her, but he was also starting to get annoyed and urgent; they had very little time. The Prince admired Lancelot's bravery, but he had to get Odette out of here. 

     Everything was happening so quickly that Odette couldn't even argue when Arthur bent his knees and grabbed her legs. She squealed a little bit, shocked when he lifted her up and put her over one shoulder. "Arthur!" she let out, annoyed. 

    "You can complain about it later!" he argued before turning and starting down the tunnel, carrying her▬and Odette couldn't do anything about it as she saw Lancelot get further and further away. Ronyn followed them, and despite the situation, couldn't help but bite back chuckles at the sight of Odette struggling over Arthur's shoulder. She didn't like this▬at all. 

     They continued down the dark tunnel. Ronyn led the way with a torch in his hand he took off a bracket. Odette kept her gaze fixed on the pathway they had gone▬searching the darkness for both Lancelot and Merlin as Arthur kept his steady pace towards freedom. Her heart was pounding, and she wanted to tell Arthur to stop and wait for the others. Maybe if she hit the small of his back hard enough, he'd listen to her. 

     They were getting closer to the end of the tunnel when Odette saw the glimmers of flames in the darkness. At first, she thought it was Hengist and his men coming after them▬only to sigh in relief to see Merlin and Lancelot. She breathed a smile, relaxing as they ran to catch up, safe and unharmed. 

     When they reached the end of the tunnel, Arthur gently set Odette down (to which she was also relieved and happy) before grabbing his sword once again and starting to make work of the chains keeping the grate locked shut. Outside, the night was dark and daunting, but it also gleamed with safety▬the moon shone down onto them, lighting up a pathway towards the woods and mountains back to Camelot. 

     Ronyn crouched down beside Odette and she felt his hand brush away her hair as if to check for any injuries. She turned to him and ignored his questions, just moving forward and wrapping her arms around his chest. Ronyn hesitated, but he breathed a relieved smile, as well, relaxing and hugging her back. 

     "I was so terrified we would not find you alive," whispered Lord Vecentia, pressing a brotherly kiss amongst Odette's hair. "Thank the Lord, you are safe."

     "For a moment there, I was terrified, too," said Odette as she pulled away. She smiled at him. "Thank you." Her eyes wandered over Ronyn's shoulder to where Arthur was trying to slam the chains open with his blade. As if feeling her gaze, he glanced back at her, and there were a lot of things Odette wanted to say▬and yet, she couldn't figure out how. She didn't even know whether she should say these things. 

    Instead, she gave Arthur a little smile that perhaps expressed a thousand words she could not speak herself. 

    Then she heard Merlin's voice and her smile turned into a grin. Despite all that had happened and all that troubled her, there was nothing but happiness in the young handmaiden's heart when her dearest friend raced to her and pulled her up onto her feet for a tight, bone-crushing hug. 

     "Merlin!" Odette exclaimed with a happy sigh, hugging him back with the same tight grip burying her head into his shoulder. Then she made a face. "Oh! You smell like a pigsty."

     Merlin rolled his eyes and pulled away. "Oh, I am so happy to see you, too, Odette."

     She made a face when she got even a stronger whiff of the terrible scent. "Urgh!" she coughed and stepped away from the manservant. "Now I must smell, too. Merlin!"

     "You are welcome," he continued with his cheery enactment of how their reunion should have gone. "Yes! I did risk my life coming to save you▬your gratitude is too kind, Odette."

     "Shut up, Merlin," Arthur grumbled as he smacked the hilt of his blade down against the chains. 

     At last, Lancelot made it to the end of the tunnel with a torch in his hand as well. He crouched down to rest and catch his breath. Odette decided to sit down beside him, wanting to rest for a moment, too while they could. Lancelot glanced at Merlin, Ronyn and Arthur before smiling. "It is good to see you," he told them. He then realised something. He frowned at Arthur. "Where are your Knights?"

     Arthur hesitated. He glanced back at him. "Just us."

     Odette blinked. A soft realisation hit her, too. She stared at Arthur, taken aback as she began to understand what he had done to come and rescue her▬he must have gone against his father's orders and ridden off into the night with no men other than his servant and his dear friend to accompany him. 

     Arthur set his jaw at the look on her face and jammed his sword a bit harder this time. At last, the chains broke. "We got to keep moving," he told them and yanked the grate open. 

    Ronyn gestured for Merlin to head out first, pushing him along before following. Both of them stepped out into the cool night air. Ronyn stamped out his flame, not wanting to draw attention. Arthur took a breath and then turned back▬he went to hold out a hand to help Odette, only to stop. 

     His gesture fell away▬he felt his heart twist and he hated himself for it, but he could not help it. The cold night air chilled his senses the moment he caught Odette smiling up at Lancelot and taking the hand he offered her instead. Gentle and tender, her soft grip met his calloused one with such care Arthur knew ... he knew. 

     Merlin wondered what was taking them so long and glanced back. When he saw it, too, he felt his shoulders fall. Subtle and understanding, he looked at Arthur who set his jaw, biting back the fury he felt. But when he did, all Arthur felt was a sinking sadness in his chest, as if someone had poured wet sand into his lungs and it weighed him down. 

     Odette had chosen someone else. 

     (Arthur had been silly to think that maybe Merlin would be right).

      As she stood up, she felt his eyes▬they burned through her and she met them; Odette faltered, too. The smile on her face slowly dropped to a frown as she noticed the look on Arthur's face▬even if it was brief before he turned away. But Odette had seen it. 

     Guilt swelled up in her chest. A painful guilt; one that filled her thoughts so much she did not realise her fingers slipped from Lancelot's hand. She wanted to say something▬but what was there to say? What could she say? 

     Odette pursed her lips and looked down, deciding to step out into the night without any help. Troubled and confused, she stayed close to Merlin▬and her troubles did not cease from her thoughts the rest of the night. 

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    ARTHUR DID not say a single word to her▬not that Odette was prepared to speak to him herself. They travelled through the woods and didn't stop until they were a safe distance away from the Veil of Denaria before setting up camp. Merlin checked Odette's ankle as Ronyn and Lancelot started a fire to keep them all warm with the chill in the air. Barely anyone spoke▬and it only made things worse. The tense air between the entire group of them was suffocating, but the one between Odette and Arthur was as though both of them were drowning. 

     Odette frowned at the grass at her feet, watching the shadow of the fire flicker and dance. Lancelot offered her some rabbit they had cooked, but she shook her head with a polite: No, thank you. She did not glance up even then. She could not bear to accidentally catch Arthur's gaze if she did. 

     She should not feel guilty▬she told herself. She should not feel as though it is her burden; her mistake. She was a servant. Odette was a servant. She was proud to be a servant and she was not ashamed of who she was. But she also understood her place in this world and she knew it would be a disaster for her to ever aim above it▬dangerous for her. Odette could not feel anything for the Prince of Camelot. What had happened between them could only happen within that sunrise and never another. She explained that to Arthur and she would think that he▬of all people▬would understand the predicament between them; the reason why they could never be. How could Odette wait for him? How could she put herself through that? Through ... through that pain?

     She could not be his Queen. She had nothing to offer him nor this kingdom other than to clean the castle chambers, scrub floors and dust surfaces. She could not wait for him to change the laws that have been in place for generations▬even Odette was not that naive. How could she feel guilty for wanting to have a life that she could have? Lancelot was not a noble nor was he a Prince. He was a peasant▬a man who was as humble as her in status. He made her happy, he made her smile, he made her heart warm and they had finally managed to find each other again after being torn apart by the circumstances of all that had happened. 

    Odette would be happy with Lancelot. She would not pain herself by waiting nor would she risk her life if Uther found out. She could live a simple life and be happy with Lancelot. Why should she feel guilty over that▬why should Arthur make her feel guilty? 

    What did he expect from her? To battle the setting sun like he had been so determined to do? If they battled the setting sun, they would lose. Odette knew that.

     (And yet...).

     She couldn't help but lift her gaze, shy and unsure only to find Arthur watching her. He looked away and continued to stoke the fire, brooding. 

     Maybe the guilt was not because she pained Arthur, but because deep down, no matter how hard she had fought the urge to glance up at him ... she had done so anyway. 

     Like a flower, she bloomed the moment the sunrise lifted high enough into the sky. Like a sunflower, she was facing it▬no matter what direction it found itself in during the day. 

     That is why she felt guilty. Not because she pained Arthur, but because there was some part of her that still picked him over Lancelot, and Odette was furious with herself because of it. 

     (Why couldn't she be happy?).

    Soon, the silence became too much▬even for pure, sweet Lancelot. Odette didn't notice the way his eyes flickered between her and Arthur, his brows knitting together. He pursed his lips and stoked the flames as well. At last, he spoke. "I ... I am surprised you would undertake such a rescue mission..." he began, watching Arthur curiously, "... with just the three of you." 

     "We could not leave our dearest Odette, now, could we?" Ronyn offered the young handmaiden a smile, nudging her from where he sat on her other side. She managed a stiff chuckle. "I daresay the castle would be a bleak misery without her to brighten it. You agree, Arthur?"

     Odette didn't recognise the subtle teasing tone Lord Vecentia had. Instead, her gaze was fixed on the Prince of Camelot, anticipating his answer. Arthur did not meet her gaze. He set his jaw and continued to push the embers back into the fire with the end of his stick. "Father would not risk the lives of his Knights for a servant," he decided to answer, stiff and straightforward. Odette pursed her lips, a little disappointed. She looked down. She felt Merlin watching her. 

     Lancelot continued to keep a curious gaze on the Prince of Camelot. "And ... yet you disobeyed him and came here anyway."

     Arthur was silent for a long moment. He swallowed harshly and gave the stick a rather aggressive push into the flames. Then, he chewed on the inside of his cheek before shrugging. "Truth is, I only came because Morgana begged me."

     Odette's gaze snapped upwards. Merlin and Ronyn both shared a look which said: He did not just say that? 

     ('How to Offend Odette in a Single Sentence', the book is now called▬Thought Merlin). 

     The young handmaiden wanted to be angry. She wanted to scowl and kick some of the embers towards Arthur's face, but she did not. Instead, all she felt was a wound to her heart. (Perhaps she had been wrong). The Prince didn't meet her frown▬he knew she was upset by what he said. 

     Odette took a sharp breath through her nose and looked away, too, feeling a lump grow in her throat. "I think I will get some rest."

     Lancelot glanced at her as she stood up. "You have not eaten."

     "I am fine," she muttered and left the fire.

     Not long after her, Arthur chucked the stick aside and stood as well. "We all should get some rest." He then stormed off to sleep in the opposite direction Odette had gone. 

     Ronyn sighed before grabbing the remaining rabbit and standing up, making his way to where Odette was making herself comfortable against a tree. 

     Lancelot pursed his lips. He watched them all go. His gaze lingered on Odette and then Arthur before he sighed to himself. "I will stand guard for a while."

     Merlin's eyes followed him as he stood up and left the fire. Soon, he was sitting all by himself. "I will ... just sit here then..." he muttered. 

     Odette glanced up when she saw Ronyn make his way over to her. She pursed her lips and looked down at her fingers as he let out a sigh and sat down beside her. He handed her the food and Odette hesitated, but gently took it from his fingers. She picked at the cooked rabbit, not having much of an appetite. 

     After a long silence between her and the Lord Vecentia, Odette glanced shyly as to where Arthur had gone▬and already was falling asleep▬with an upset frown. Soft and shy, she mumbled to Ronyn: "Is it true? Did ... did he really only come because Morgana begged him?"

     Ronyn gave her a gentle look. "You already know the answer to that. Of course, not."

     "Then why did he say that?" she looked down again. 

     Lord Vecentia sighed and gently nudged Odette with his elbow▬he managed to get a small smile to tug at her lips. "He is Arthur," he said to her in a soft voice. "Why does he say anything?"

     She chuckled softly at that. Ronyn wasn't going to tell Odette the real reason why Arthur had said something like that because he had a feeling she already knew, and she didn't need any more confusion and troubling thoughts to plague her when right now, what she needed was to rest. 

     It took Odette a while to finally fall asleep. She could thank her exhaustion for most of it. Odette fell asleep at last in the comfort knowing that she was no longer alone and locked in that horrible cell▬that she will see the sunrise when she opened her eyes. And that sunrise will bear the promise of the future she will have with Lancelot, Odette knew it. 

     She was the last to wake up. She supposed that the others all decided that they should let her get as much rest as possible before they had to be on the move. Odette rubbed her eyes and brushed her hair off her face, lifting her head away from her arms as she took in the sunlight that gleamed down upon the tree leaves. The fire was nothing more than dull embers and scattered logs. 

    Odette looked around. She saw Ronyn having a drink from his water skin, ready to go. Merlin was kicking away the fire to try and cover their tracks if anyone was looking. She couldn't see Arthur, and so she figured he was out refilling his water skin at the creek nearby. The only other person who wasn't around...

    The young handmaiden glanced around for him once again. When she didn't see him, she turned to Merlin with a tired smile. "Where is Lancelot?"

    Merlin hesitated to meet her gaze. When he did, Odette saw his answer all over his face▬a breath of sadness and reluctance to tell her the truth. Her smile dropped. She glanced around again▬surely he was messing with her? "Merlin, where is he?" she asked again, feeling her heart twist.

    The young warlock pursed his lips. He sighed. "He's gone."

    Odette's heart dropped down into the pit of her stomach. "What?" she whispered, confused. 

    Merlin sighed again and approached her. She shook her head, standing up. "Odette..." he tried but she shook her head again.

    "No," she said. "You are lying to me."

     "Why would I lie to you?" said Merlin sadly. 

     She took a shaky breath and looked down. A lump formed in her throat and Merlin took the chance to explain Lancelot's reasoning: "He ... He said that some things cannot be. He wanted you to know that you have changed him forever."

     Odette felt her eyes well up at those words. "But why?" she let out, her breath hitching. Ronyn glanced over, hearing their conversation even if he wished he could not. His gaze grew soft to see the tears that the young handmaiden desperately forced down. "B▬But why?"

     "Odette," Merlin placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her gaze on him. "He was banished from Camelot ..." That was a lie. She knew it was a lie. "There was no way he could have stayed. He ... he wanted you to be safe and at home."

    "I would have been safe with him," said Odette, her voice cracking. Merlin's face was pained when he heard it. "We would have ... we were supposed to▬He promised me he would not leave."

    "I know, I..." Merlin didn't know what to say. "I am sorry..."

    Her jaw was aching at how hard she was trying to keep herself from crying. Odette felt as though Lancelot had taken her heart and left it shattered right at her feet▬left her here. He might believe his actions were selfless and out of his care for her, but Odette didn't see it like that. All she felt was the same abandonment she always felt. The abandonment of a child left by her parents before she could even remember their faces; the abandonment of a girl who lost the only mother she ever had and was cast out to die ... and now, here she was again, left behind and forgotten. 

    Had she not faced that story enough times? Has she not kept pushing on▬has Odette not been grateful for the miracles and second chances she's received? Does she not ... should she not deserve happiness for once in her life after all that she has been through?

    (Apparently, she does not).

    "Hey..." Merlin noticed the look on her face and gently pulled her into a hug. Odette closed her eyes and felt tears escape the moment Merlin held her against his chest, embracing her tight. She did not see Arthur return, his steps slowing to a stop when he saw Odette cry and realised what must have happened. 

    He felt some part of him break to see her so upset. But he did not show it. He took a deep breath and fixed his shoulders. "We have a long walk ahead of us," he announced. Odette pulled away from Merlin's embrace and quickly wiped her tears, not looking at any of them. 

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    SHE WAS relieved when she saw the turrets of Camelot in the distance. The golden glow of the many towers, walls and smoke lifting up and out of the Lower Town▬her home. Odette had been silent most of the trip, an entire day's walk and then another day's ride before they finally made it to the fields outside of the city walls. Odette had never been more happy to see the castle▬to know that she was back home, alive and safe. Though not without an ache in her chest where her heart was still cut and bruised. And not without the nightmares. 

    Odette rested her head on Merlin's shoulders as she sat behind him on his horse for the rest of the journey. She stared at the butterflies fluttering past in the pasture, but did not feel the want to smile. 

     They made it to the castle courtyard, and Merlin helped Odette down from the horse. She would have to go to Gaius to check her ankle properly after such a long and tiresome walk out of Mercia, but for now, there were two people she wished to see more than anything else in this world. She turned to Arthur and watched him gesture for her to follow him without a word. She tried not to be upset or even angry▬no, Odette could not muster enough energy to be angry. Instead, she just followed, carefully climbing the steps and staying in Arthur's shadow as he took her back inside the castle. 

     More stairs did they climb, until they came near a familiar corridor Odette had missed so very much. Odette glimpsed two figures standing by the windows▬they would have watched them ride inside the castle walls. Morgana and Guinevere stood silent and still, holding their breaths. Odette felt some weight on her shoulders lift the moment she saw them. 

     "Morgana, Gwen," Arthur spoke up as they got closer. The King's Ward and her first handmaiden glanced over. The Prince offered a little smile. "There is someone here to see you."

     He stepped aside and there was Odette. As soon as they saw her, her two dear friends' faces broke out into beautiful smiles.

     "Odette!" exclaimed Morgana and Odette smiled, too. Not caring about her ankle, she picked up her dress skirt and raced up the remainder of the steps and right into Morgana and Guinevere's arms. They held onto each other tight and Gwen laughed with joy, burying her face into Odette's shoulder while Morgana squeezed the young maid close. 

      Odette was finally home. 

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     a/n: no but the thought of odette riding with merln back to camelot warms my heart. platonic soulmates <3333

    lancelot left you babes BUT ARTHUR IS RIGHT THERE <333333 HE WILL ALWAYS PUT U FIRST ODETTE HONEY AND YOU NEED THAT. YOU ARE EQUAL TO HIS KINGDOM ISTG I LOVE THEM

    though we've reached angst point with ardette which hurts.

    (lol uther is marrying a troll next hahahaHAHAHAH)

    arthur 🤝 throwing people over his shoulder

    bro is actually so strong tho. think about it. he fights with a sword and can behead a man with it in one clean go i'm guessing (4x05). he wears chainmail and armour on a daily basis which is super heavy and bro knocked two guys out with one hand each at the same time. dude-