The Girl With the Shadows

Chapter 3

Arthur's POV:

I waited for Merlin, and Madison to return, bringing Guinevere with them. There was so much happening and the future of the kingdom rests on my shoulders. If I make one wrong move, Camelot is doomed. I have to be sure I'm making the right decisions. Merlin burst into the room with Madison, and Guinevere. "Arthur, what's wrong?" She asked. I took her hands in mine, looking into her eyes. "Morgana is going to attack by first light. We have no choice but to fight. Madison here has suggested we move the battle to the woods where we have the cover of the trees, and leave a handful of men in the lower town to defend it." I said. Her eyes widened. "She's attacking tomorrow? But, how do we know this?" Guinevere asked. "Madison heard Morgana talking to a man in the woods, five miles from here, I'm grateful she told us the information she heard, because now we have the advantage. We know she is going to attack, but she doesn't know that we know. It'll drive our advantage up, as well as using the woods for the battlefield." I replied. "How many men does she have?" she asked. I shook my head. "We don't know, but there will be thousands." I replied.

"She has magic on her side, do we have any chance of winning this war?" She asked. "I don't know, Guinevere. All I know is that I have to defend Camelot; it is my job as king. I can't stand by and watch Morgana slaughter innocent people, when I know she is after me, and the throne." I said. "I know, Arthur. Just, be careful." She said. "I'm always careful." I replied. I kissed her lightly. "Go to sleep, Guinevere." I said. She gave me a small, worried smile and went towards the bed.  I sighed. "Sire, you should also get some sleep." Merlin said to me. I looked at him. "Get an early night, Merlin." I said. He nodded, also looking worried. He took Madison with him and the door closed.

Merlin's POV:

I closed the door to Arthur's chambers, and looked at Madison. She walked towards the front steps of Camelot and sat down, I did so too. "Is your magic powerful enough to defeat Morgana? I heard Arthur say she is a high priestess." Madison asked me. I sighed, looking out at the lower town, people were getting ready for bed, with no idea that a war was soon to be fought. "I don't know. Many people have said that I am the greatest sorcerer ever to walk the earth, I just don't know if I believe them." I said. She looked at me. "Arthur should knight you. You're the bravest of them all, and he doesn't know about it." She said. I laughed. "I don't think I would like swinging a sword around all day." I said. She smiled. "I know that I just met you, but I fear for you, Merlin. You need to be careful, not just for Arthur's sake, but for your own." She said. I looked at her. "You sound like your worried about me." I said. She nodded. "I am. I don't want to see you get hurt, Merlin." She said. "I should go, or Gaius will be worried about me." I said standing up. She also stood. "Goodnight, Merlin." she  said. "Are you not going to bed?" I asked. She shook her head. "I think I'll stay out here for a while longer." she replied. I nodded, and walked to Gaius' chambers.

Madison's POV:

I waited for Gwaine. He was very late. "Hello." He said. I turned to face him. "Where the hell have you been?" I hissed. "I was going over the plans for the battle tomorrow. I am a knight, I can't just slip away from the council chambers unnoticed. I had to wait until we were all finished." he said. I rolled my eyes. "Come on, let's just go." I said. I got two horses for us, and we rode out of the castle. "So, where exactly are we going?" Gwaine asked. "You don't need to know." I said. He sighed. "At least tell me, what we're going to be doing, alone, in the woods; at night." He said. "Can't tell you that either." I replied, smirking. "You're full of riddles, Madison." He said. "Good. Maybe then you'll shut up, so I can hear myself think." I said. "A lot of people say that to me. They think I talk a lot, but I don't think I do." He said. "Well, then your stupid, Gwaine. Now, please, just shut up." I said. "You're very mean, you know that?" He asked. I snorted. "Aw, did I hurt your feelings?" I asked, mocking him. He quit talking. I smiled. Finally some peace and quiet. We continued on, until I stopped at the very edge of the border of Camelot.