The Secret Kingdom

To Bring Them Back

Elia stood over a table set up outside her tent, looking over a map, her brow furrowed. They had made camp after riding south two days, waiting to receive word from the scouts and for the messenger she had sent out to arrive with the knights of Camelot.

While time was of the essence, she knew it would be wiser to wait for Arthur and his knights before they attacked. Especially if there was a larger company waiting for them. They would need the numbers.

They had the advantage of knowing these woods better than whatever mercenaries Morgana had sent, but still, they had managed to ambush the patrol. This said that they were no normal soldiers and had some level of skill. Elia vowed to herself that it was a mistake that would not be repeated.

"Queen Elia, the scouts have returned," Fianna said, rushing up to her.

Elia looked up from the table and nodded.

"Bring them to me," she said.

Fianna bowed and quickly rushed off to find them. As Elia returned to looking over the map, she heard a thundering of hooves approach. She looked up again, stepping away from the table, knowing this could mean only one thing.

Arthur and his knights had arrived.

They entered the camp, Arthur at the front next to Durothil. He deftly dismounted and strode towards her as the knights followed.

"Just in time. Our scouts have returned with news," Elia said.

Her eyes then fell on Merlin, who was climbing down from his horse just behind Arthur. Her heart clenched in pain. Of course, she knew that Merlin would accompany him, but it still didn't damper the sting of seeing him. She quickly looked away, meeting Arthur's eyes.

"Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Camelot will always answer your call," Arthur said.

Elia turned, leading him over to the map as an elf man and woman walked up.

"What did you find?" she asked, looking at them.

"They've made camp," the elf woman said.

"There are about 40 men," the man said. "We overheard some of them arguing. Seems they are waiting for someone, though others feel they should move on."

"Likely waiting for Morgana," Elia replied solemnly.

"They are set up here," the woman said, pointing at a spot on the map.

Elia and Arthur peered down at it.

"Probably best to attack by night. Catch them unawares. We can ride to here and then go the rest by foot," Elia said, furrowing her brow as she pointed at the map. "Less a chance they will hear us coming."

"Seems a rather long way to go by foot," Arthur replied, glancing at her with worry. "They could overtake us before we've gotten back to the horses. Especially if your warriors are injured."

"We can manage. We move rather quickly. Though if you should like to shed your heavy armor for ours, that could help," she replied, arching a slender eyebrow. "Not to mention, I don't intend to leave anyone behind to follow us."

While Arthur's expression remained stern, she could clearly see the surprise in his eyes. Perhaps he had not thought the elves vicious.

"Surely we could just take them prisoner," he said.

"And give them a chance to potentially survive and get word back to Morgana of our fighting techniques or worse - lead her directly to our gates?" she countered coldly. "I do not intend to put my kingdom at risk further. The ambush was already too close to our borders."