RECAP
"what do you mean?" Both women say in unison.
"The animals are uneasy, the sky is darkening as we speak, and it looks like there's going to be a cosmic lighting rain storm." Onyx replied.
"What could have brought this on?" All eyes turned to the sleeping princess, who stirred as if she knew that she was being watched.
Lightning flashed outside bright and unyielding. Casting an eerie glow on her face.
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"Happy birthday, son" King Uther clapped his son's shoulder proudly. "You're finally fifteen."
This particular birthday was a very special one, Arthur had come of age. Now that he was fifteen, he had to start to search for a bride.
Unbeknownst to him, his father was practically on his death bed. Uther's illness had gotten worse, he can't stand for more than a few minutes, and hos heart was taking a toll on him.
While the festivities were going on in the ball, Gwen had just been promoted from the kitchen to the parlor.
"Congratulations Gwenevere, you are the youngest servant to ever get promoted." Tina, the head of the maids praised. Gwen felt proud standing in her crisp new uniform.
"Okay ladies, you know what to do!" Tina surveyed the maids with pride, then quick as it came, her face became a stone mask.
The grand doors opened and they filed out. All commotion stopped as they walked in sporting platters piled with food. Delicious smells wafted the large room.
As her eyes roamed the lavishly decorated room, Gwen made eye contact with Arthur, almost missing a step. He looked so handsome!
After the incident in his father's study, Arthur met up with her in their secret meeting place and told her that he was leaving.
"I'm going to Cambridge." He had told a devastated Gwenevere.
Cambridge Academy was a boarding school for noble children. They went there when they turned fifteen, at that age they were deemed a type of apprentice to their parents. They go to the academy to learn about nobility, etiquette, and the dos and don'ts of the castle life.
"But I thought, you were leaving in two years! You said-"
"I know what I said!" He shouted, making her take a harsh breath in.
"Look," He tried a new tactic, "I'll only be there for two years."
Gwen's lips trembled, but she said nothing, and turned away.
It has been two years and Gwen fears that Arthur has for gotten her.
The guests swarmed the buffet table as so as the platters were set down. Gwen spotted Merlin who was standing next to Gaius, his mentor, and walked in his direction.
Suddenly she bumped into someone, almost losing her balance. "I'm so sorry!" She mumbled, keeping her head down.
"It's alright, was worth seeing such a pretty face as yourself." a cheery voice said.
Gwen's eyes flew up she knew that voice. "Maddix?" She gasped, "How are you even here?"
"Hey Thea." Maddix was her mother's, brother's son. And four years older than Gwen. They had met when Gwen was three and immediately clicked.
Gwen's mother had just been arrested, and Gwen was scared. Malcolm became that bog brother that she never had.
"What are you doing here?" Gwen whispered, more aggressively this time pulling the walking tree toward where Merlin, and Gaius were staring curiously at them.
"Is there a problem Duke Jadison?"A pompous looking baron questioned eyeing Gwen suspiciously. He was standing so straight Gwen wanted to question about the size of his breeches.
"Of course not Bartley!" The man's face scrunched up in annoyance. "My cousin was just showing me around."
"Wait, cousin? What-"The pompous old man looked confused.
"Good day, Lord Bartelmuse." Gwen mumbled, she then briskly walked away her eyes downcast.
"Gwen?" Couldn't she get a break? Wincing, she slowly she lifted her eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. Quickly, she spun on her heel and scurried as fast as her short legs could take her towards Merlin, Maddix in tow.
Before either person could speak Gwen dived behind a tapestry and through the almost invisible servant door.
Merlin was the first one to enter the dark hall after Gwen. "What in the world was that?"
"Thea, what just happened?" Maddix came in behind Merlin. None of them noticed Gaius who had slinked in and closed the door.
"I...." She did not know what to say.
"Well," Gaius's soft voice startled them. "Let us go to my quarters, we will drink some herbal tea, and you can tell us about your troubles."
*****
A scream rang out through the little village.
"She's awake!" A villager exclaimed.
"Why is she screaming?" Another villager cried.
"Call the healer! Where's Aeristonna?" Suddenly she materialized out of thin air along with Sade and Onyx at her side.
Without a word the trio dashed for the small medi-hut in which the princess was residing.
In the hut, Elroy was staring at a wall in awestruck horror her eyes so white the pupils were indistinguishable.
"He's here!" She whispered urgently, her voice getting louder by every word. "He's coming! He's coming for you!" She pointed blindly in Sade's direction, who nearly fainted against Onyx in shock.
"He's coming for all of us!" Hysteria laced her voice. Aeristonna tried to approach the princess, but was thrown back by an invisible force, right through the wall.
The smell of singed hair wafted the small hut as the healer laid unconscious in the dirt. Nothing could be heard but the ragged breath of the hysterical girl.
Then she giggled and began rocking back and forth.
"Hide your children, lock your doors.
The monster with no name is coming
walking on all fours.
Even then, even then,
He without a face you cannot fend.
For he is the Shadow.
Who lurks in the darkness,
in innocent blood he is dressed
He is coming! With an army of the dead.
Skeletal horses a knights with no head.
He is coming! With vengeance in his soul.
Stories of him bad children were told.
Stronger than before he spares no one in his wrath,
Fear and chaos deep impeded in his path
He is coming! Just around the bend,
when he's at your doorstep the world will end.
Beware of the shadow!" She trembled, her eyes fading back to their hazel state.
Sade fell to the ground, trembling. She opened her mouth and nothing but a squeak came out, she was unable to express anything else. Ella then laid down in her bed still trembling. Her eyes slowly closed as she fell asleep once more.
"Good job Ellie, now you must rest. You will be meeting someone very important soon. Plus you still have my father to deal with" The girl stirred in her sleep as the voice rang in her head.
"You have such a difficult journey ached of you, so sleep princess." The voice faded away leaving the faint scent of roses in its wake.
YOU ARE READING
Ella
Fantasy"Who are you? And how did I get here?" The person in front of me was pretty short, with a pretty face that was the color of cinnamon. Her hair, long and flowing down to her waist, was the colour of dark chocolate with black streaks in it. But thos...
