𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕿𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊
𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: The fate of an entire kingdom rests upon the shoulders of a young woman, the love of her life, and their best friend. Will they be able to find the strength to beat the hardships that come with that responsibility...
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📍 Camelot
⏳December, 506 AD
I was just drifting off to sleep when I heard a wild commotion in the corridor. Instantly worried, I threw on the first hoodie I found – a navy blue one – and rushed outside; then I ran after two guards that sprinted past me.
My breath hitched when I saw a bunch of knights and courtiers gathered outside Uther's room. I pushed past them to go inside and my stomach fell when I saw Gaius standing next to the King, who was barely awake on his bed with blood oozing from his chest. Gwen seemed to be aiding the physician while Arthur stood to the side, tears freely streaming down his face as he nibbled on his thumbnail.
Also – a man from the circus act laid on the floor, dead.
I hurried to stand beside the Prince, my heart racing with dread. "What the heck happened?!" I asked.
His head snapped towards me and he let out a shaky breath, immediately reaching for me. I wrapped my arms around his torso. "H-he... the man... stabbed... he saved me," he struggled to make out sentences and eventually gave up as he dropped his head to rest it on top of mine.
I was able to gather enough – whoever the dead man was had attacked the royals and Uther took a hit to save Arthur. I gulped as I tried to think of something to say while my eyes scanned the King's figure. He was extremely pale, his eyes were dull, and his breathing was shallow.
"Gaius – c-can you treat him?" the Prince asked after a few moments.
The physician let out a sigh, turning to face him with a grave look. "The blade has touched his heart. He is bleeding inside," he replied in a low voice.
My own heart clenched inside my chest as I felt Arthur's body tremble slightly. I tightened my grip on him.
"There must be something..." his voice broke. "T-there must be something you can do," he tried again as the tears continued to fall. I bit down hard on my lip, knowing that there wasn't. Not in this century. Gaius looked away. "Please, Gaius," the Prince continued.
The elderly man shook his head. "It is just a matter of time, I am afraid," he said softly, making my own eyes well up with tears. "I am sorry, Arthur," he added sympathetically, then he moved to leave the room and he squeezed my shoulder as he went. I gave him a little forced smile before looking up at the Prince.
The terrified look on his face broke me completely on the inside, but I knew I had to remain strong. For him. So I swallowed my emotions and started to rub gentle circles on his back.
"I will be around, if you need anything," Gwen whispered sadly before following the physician out the door.
"Thanks, Gwennie," I replied weakly.
My eyes travelled to Uther again to find that he'd now fallen asleep. You'd think he was dead, already, were it not for the rise and fall of his chest.
