The Curse of King Arthur

Prologue

"No... stay strong, Elaine," I plead as I cradle her close. "We just need to get you to Nimue, and she will fix this...scratch, and you will be good as new, running off and protecting the kingdom, like always." I manage to will a reassuring smile. Even though, deep in my heart, I know that not even Merlin could heal such a grievous wound.

...And Elaine knows it as well. It is as clear as the lake around Avalon.

She raises a blood-stained hand and caresses my cheek. "Let us not fret our minds on this." A light laugh escapes from her lips. "I do not want my last moments to be of my mother nagging me about getting injured...again. Besides..." A smile graces her lips as she pulls me closer. "...I rather spend these last moments in your arms."

Even dying, Elaine cannot help to try and comfort me in her last moments, and I can feel my eyes welling with tears. "Why did you protect me!? Why did you move in front of that blade!? It should have been me!"

"Because I am your knight. It is my duty to protect you, including laying my life down for you," She forces me to look at her. "Do you think I could just stand and watch that sword run through you, watch the life leave your eyes? Could you stand by if our places were reversed?" I do not speak because it is the truth. There would be no force that would or could stop me from saving her.

...Which makes this so much more painful...

The grip on my cheek tightens, bringing me back. "Listen to me; you are not meant to die here. This is not the place for a king to die. Besides-" A coughing fit seizes her, causing blood to run down her lips, but that does not weaken her resolve. "...You have to...stay strong. The king...dom needs you...now more than...ever."

"But I cannot... Not without you by my side..."

Her smile grows even as her strength leaves her. "Yes...yes, you can. You are so much stronger...than you realize... You have sur... survived without me...before and you will b...be able to survive...after I am...gone..."

Tears freely fall as we move as close as we can. "I believe in you...Arthur," She whispers as I feel her heartbeat slowing. "Just...remember...that...I..." The last of her life leaves her as she falls limp.

"No...NO!" I cry out as I cradle her in my arms.

"You brought this upon yourself," An evil but strangely sweet voice softly states from the shadows. Through teary eyes, I can make out a woman in a flowing, blood-stained dress. Her face is obscure, but somehow, I know she is familiar. Familiar enough that guilt mixes with the rage hazing my vision.

The light shines in from the window, illuminating her face enough that I can see the smirk gracing her lips, taking pleasure from my loss. Red fills my sight as I reach blindly for anything to end that look.

"It is hopeless; you cannot stop me." Each word she speaks becomes increasingly menacing as a shadow rises from her. "This kingdom and your reign as king will be just like your precious knight, over. ...you will never be able to stop me, Austin...!"