Camelot

XX

"Thank you so much for allowing us to return to the island for safety." I hugged my mother.

"I missed you so much, as soon as I found that Uther was dead I told the truth to everyone and now we all just live here in peace." My mom smiled. "However did the world manage to get rid of such a distasteful man?"

"Lancelot. Camelot had invaded Avalon and Lancelot was trying to make sure that Uther wouldn't try to hurt me."

"Well we have a lot of catching up to do, and cute little Allister is such a sweet little baby, but please tell Arthur isn't the father and you made the same mistake as me." Her eyes pleaded.

"No Allister is Lancelot's son. Though I fear that in the process we have turned Arthur into Uther, maybe worse." I shuttered even thinking his name now, he truly scared me. To think pretending to be with him and my son growing up like he was his, I could never let that happen.

"Guin! Come and see it's finally done!" Lancelot shouted in glee.

Happily running into his arms. "What did you want to show me?" Lancelot covered my eyes and started to lead me down a hill.

"I'm going to let go but keep your eyes closed. Follow my voice and pick your feet up so you don't trip. Come one just a little farther." He gleamed with joy as he took my hand and told me "Open your eyes."

As I opened my eyes we were standing in a small little house. The inside has a rustic feel with an open fire that was blazing up a chimney. Around the fireplace were small cushions in a half circle, on each cushion was each of my sisters smiling happily watching me, all but Fay.I continued to walk around the house but my heart melted when I found a nursery. Little Allister was already sleeping being rocked gently by Fay who was sitting in a rocking chair. The chair was by a window that was overlooking the ocean, it was absolutely beautiful. The crib sat perfectly in the center covered in blankets of all colors, but not a single one in red. Above the crib a small crystal chandelier hung, "Those crystals are all that remained from Avalon's palace. They're currently rebuilding a new one but they have a no upset Guinevere policy." Lancelot could always make me laugh. "This is where we will raise Allister, away from everything. We can teach him magic and how to use a sword. He could become a defender of the island, or a farmer. Whatever he wants, he will live free of Camelot and the bloodlust of men."

"Guin, why don't you sit with Allister?" Fay got up and handed me my baby. "Please forgive me for ..."

"I wouldn't have changed a second of it, well minus almost getting married to your half brother." I tried to make her laugh. "When Avalon is rebuilt and the army is ready to move they are going to take back Camelot and save it's people. And when they do my father and Merlin said they would want no one better on it's throne then it's rightful heir." I took Fay's hand.

"Thank you Guin, but you should take the throne."

"I have had enough of Camelot and I'm never going back there again. I'd rather die."

"That may be the case, I'm so sorry Guin but they've found us." My mother came barging into the room.

"What?" Lancelot drew his sword.

"Camelot ships surround the island, we are trapped." My mother cried.

"How did they find us?" I asked.

"My theories are that Uther always knew but the barrier kept them away, when Uther died the barrier faded. I can't raise another one you have to go and save Allister." My mother grabbed my arm. "You promise you'll take care of my daughter no matter what?" Her fearful eyes looked to Lancelot.

"With my life." Lancelot said before taking my arm and dragging Allister and I through a secret tunnel he had put under the house.

"Did you expect this?" I wondered watching the intricate amount of tunnels as Lancelot carefully ran through the maze.

"I did but not this soon. I'm sorry that this has happened so soon, I just hope your family has enough power to take care of themselves."

"Don't doubt them, the oath faded away too so they have raw powers like how I destroyed Avalon." I clung to Allister closely.

We reached what appeared to be a dead end when I finally got the chance to catch my breath. "Did we take a wrong turn?"

"No, it only appears that way to make everyone else go the otherway." Lancelot lifted up a small platform revealing a wooden ladder lit dimly with a torch. "In you go."

"Is it another passage?" I asked.

"No, this is a hidden bunker that I planned out. The other tunnels all lead to multiple holes by the ocean with a boat by every exit. If anyone from Camelot finds these tunnels they will end out outside and think we are still stuck in here. This is one of three dead ends, this one is the only one with a bunker, the others have more tunnels that are more complex."

"We've only been here a week and you have all of this planned?"

"Magic. Now get in! Give me Allister and I'll hand him down to you."

I crawled down into the bunker and saw a reflection of what the house was, but even smaller. A small crib sat in one corner next to a simple cot. On the other side a few cupboards probably filled with provisions. I looked back up and gently was passed Allister. "Come on." I called up to Lancelot.

"This bunker was only ever meant for the two of you. I'm going back out there to help fight."

"They don't know we are here, if you show yourself they know we're here somewhere too. Just stay down here where it's safe." I pleaded.

Lancelot handed me a small dagger, "Protect yourself, I know what you mean but I swore to protect your life and no one is going to come down here. In one of the cupboards there are the tools you need to light the torch. Lay them out and put the torch in the water bucket. Do not light the torch again until someone you know comes to get you. Stay safe and keep Allister safe. I love you." Lancelot climbed down to give me a kiss.

"Promise me you'll come back." I looked to him.

His eyes were hurt as he looked back to me. "Take this." He pulled of his ring and tied it around a small string. "In case this is goodbye, with this ring I am yours forever and nothing will ever change that. I'll wait for you even in death."

I took the ring and watched him scurry back up the ladder and carefully return the platform to cover us. Putting out the torch immediately I was left to care for Allister and keep him quiet in the dark.

For hours I didn't hear anything but silence in the tunnels above me. It felt like it dragged on for months, every second I longed for Lancelot to return. I was nervous and the silence made everything feel more ominous and made me want to scream. Allister was soundly asleep in my arms and didn't make a sound which was good, but who knows how much longer he would be asleep.

"Another dead end!" I heard someone shout from above the bunker.

"Should we check for another platform?" Another voice asked.

"No, the last one's someone went into were traps, let's just keep going. There has to be somewhere these tunnels let out or them to have escaped. Remember the King's orders, kill the traitors and bring the kid back unharmed."

"Let's just tell the King they're dead and return home, he will never know the difference. Why would they ever return to Camelot anyway?"

"We can't just leave otherwise he will know it's a trick. I say we spend the night. Guinevere and the baby have probably already fled through the tunnels. Everyone else is barricaded in the main building. Keep a sentry on the doors at all time and kill anyone who comes out. We'll leave in the morning." The voices trailed off as they left.

Everyone was still alive and we would be left alone to live in peace. Little Allister can live a long happy life without being on the run from Camelot. All I could ever ask for him would be a normal life.