Elizabeth and the Goddess of Death

Chapter Seven

"Remember, you can-" Arthur attempts to go over exactly what to do. The reason he didn't finish the sentence? Elizabeth had cut him off, as she'd listened the first ten times he'd explained it.

"Yes, only stay a few minutes or I'm stuck in the spirit world forever. And if I look back, I bring his ghost into our world." Elizabeth says with a chuckle, looking up at him.

"Just...don't get stuck, ok?" Arthur says. Sure his sister's been here for about two years now, but it still felt like he'd just gotten her back. He had ten long years without her, these two have felt like barely any time at all.

Time really does fly when you're having fun, and Elizabeth has brought so much more fun and joy into his life since her return.

Her carefree personality did a good job of rubbing off on everyone, not just him. Why run inside during a rainstorm when you could enjoy it? Dance, get a little wet, take in the unique smell of the water dripping down on you.

"I won't. I promise. I'll find out what I need to know, remind him I love him and that I'll see him again soon. It'll be plenty of time." Elizabeth assures her brother. Only a fraction of the worry on the king's face left, but it was better than none.

With that, Arthur, Merlin and the remaining knights left the room to make the area as open as possible and Elizabeth blew the horn. In seconds, a passage to the spirit world opened in front of the young princess and she didn't hesitate to walk in.

"Gwaine!" Elizabeth exclaimed with a happy sob, running to the ghost of her lover as an attempt to hug him. Unfortunately, she went right through. "Oh." She says, the happiness in her voice draining a bit.

"My lady. Beautiful as ever." Gwaine says, a sad smile on his face. Of course he was happy to see her, the spirit world was rather boring without her by his side. But just like the princess, he wanted nothing more than to hold her again.

"Thank you. I know I don't have much time so I'll get to what I came for. Is anyone in the spirit world aware of a way to bring back the dead? I know Morgana brought back a shell of Lancelot, but I don't want a shell. I want...I need you. The real you." Elizabeth explains, getting choked up.

"There is a way." Gwaine answers, visibly brightening Elizabeth's features. "The Goddess of Death hosts a yearly tournament at the Castle of Carbonek. It isn't to the death, just get them pinned on the ground, sword at their chest and you win. If you win the tournament, she'll grant you the return of one soul." He explains.

"Carbonek, I've heard of that before. Isn't that where the Holy Grail lies?" Elizabeth pries curiously.

"Generation after generation have told the story and through those years a key fact was lost. Yes there is something in Carbonek that brings joy, cures all wounds and brings life but it is no grail." Gwaine starts explaining.

"The tournament." Elizabeth finishes and he nods. "I must go, report back to everyone and tell them the news." She adds hastily.

"There is one other thing that many of the spirits have mentioned. You remember the Dark Tower, where Morgana enchanted Guinevere?" He asks.

"Yes of course. Why?"

"Morgause did the same to Morgana."

"You're saying it was never really her? She never intentionally hurt us, never intentionally killed you?"

"Indeed. Keep that in mind when you report back to the others." Gwaine says. Elizabeth nods solemnly, not sure if her heart would be ready for Morgana to return even as a friend once more.

"When is this tournament?" She asks, realizing that might be important information.

"A month's time." He answers.

"I'll see you then, my love." She says, giving him a final smile before turning around.

"I'll see you then." He replies just before she leaves the spirit world.

At the sound of footsteps in the throne room, Arthur and the others didn't hesitate to walk back in.

"Well? Can we bring him back?" Percival asks, his voice tone matched the body language of everyone else: full of hope, for more than just Gwaine.

Everyone's lost so many loved ones. Guinevere lost Elyan, Arthur lost his mother, and that's only a few examples. If there was hope for Gwaine, there was hope for their other loved ones as well. Elizabeth repeats what she'd heard, causing smiles to break out on her audience's faces.

"There's something else. Gwaine, he said...spirits have told him that all of Morgana's evil...it was an enchantment from Morgause. The same one Gwen was under." Elizabeth says. A mixture of emotions graced everyone's faces next as they decided what the course of action should be.

Morgana could be a friend again. But is it worth it?