The meeting in the Oak had lasted hours.
King Urther now paced back and forth in his chamber, the battle ahead still worried him. He trusted his men and without doubt they were the best, but the Saxons were known for their deadly attacks and they were greater in number...much greater. Why now, what could have caused the Saxons to deem Camelot their enemy...but it's not Camelot, they sought the life of the king. Should he seek to appeal with them, to find out how he may have wronged them...but how-when.
His scout had said twenty men would be dispatched, but that was three days ago they could have made changes and even though the night of the New Moon was their planned date to invade .... they could attack Camelot earlier, they could already be on their way then he and his men could be trampled within their paths. His men, their families and loved ones.....
His thought was broken by a knock on the door.
"Come in" he managed
It was Guinevere and Morgana.
"Father we were passing by and saw that your lights are still on, is there something the matter?" Morgana inquired
"I'm glad you're still up father, I need to go to aunt Gathens, its been a while since I've seen her." Guinevere broke in before king Urther could answer.
King Urther sighed as he recognised this was another of his daughters attempts to miss school.
"School is still in Guinevere, you will see Gathens soon, and as I remember she is not your favourite person."
"That's true, but she is family. And father surely you can speak with the school's chancellor, he will not deny the king." Guinevere quipped
King Urther smiled, he had hoped by now his daughter would have adjusted to her new surroundings, but her complaining never stopped. The conversation did take his mind away from the forthcoming battle, but then only reminded him how much he had to loose. His face turned ashen.
"Father .. are you alright you look rather pale, sit here." Guinevere helped her father to his bed.
"Have some of this, father you have always enjoyed Morgana's mixtures. She made this one for me."
Guinevere quickly uncovered her canister and placed it to her father's lips.
"You have been worrying me for days to make this juice mix, surely you will not give it all to father. I will run down to the kitchen and bring something more suitable."
"Nonsense! "Guinevere shot back "I have no problem giving this to my father..."
"Its quite lovely Morgana, what is it?" King Urther asked as he finished the whole bottle.
"Some cherries and other fruits I picked from the kitchen garden father, I would have made you some but the maids are especially careful that there be enough for Penumbria."
"Its very refreshing my love" king Urther smiled, but within his eyes there was a void.
"Father about aunt Gathens, I was thinking I could...."
"Not now Guin!" King Urther snapped
Guinevere was completely taken aback. Her last words trailed off like the yelp of a young puppy. Her father has never shouted at her, he has never called her Guin, she has never seen this look in his eyes, in its entirety this was all foreign to her.
"Come now sister, father needs his rest"
Morgana took her sister's hands as she stood almost mummified by the preceedings.
King Urther realized that for the first time in 17 years he had let his daughter down.
He wept sorely that night. They both did.
