Relics of Camelot

by L. H. Nicole

  Arthur nodded his head once, watching them all closely, assessing them. “You are welcome in Camelot, my friends. What news do you bring?”

  Falorn, his melodic voice filling the hall. “Majesty, we…” The Fae choked on his words as he met Aliana’s eyes.

  Their mouths gaped open for a second before the three of them dropped to one knee, their heads bent low. “My lady, it is an honor to greet you,” Falorn said when he finally looked up.

  Everyone in the room closed in, forming a loose circle around them. Aliana’s trembling returned, her face flushing with a fire that ran up her spine and neck.

  “What is going on, Aliana?” Arthur asked.

  Aliana opened her mouth to say something but no words came. This was NOT how she wanted to tell them about her ancestry.

  “It is an unexpected honor to greet one of the queen’s lineage, especially here in Camelot.” D’varin spoke, awed, rising his head enough to meet her gaze briefly.

  “We pledge our lives, weapons and service to you, princess. Whatever you need of us, you shall have.” The strength of the devotion and admiration in Echary’s promise confused Aliana. How could he feel those things so quickly? The other two echoed his words.

  “Princess?” the knights all asked, staring at Aliana.

  Aliana fought to keep from hyperventilating. “Please stand up,” she ordered the three Fae breathlessly. “There’s no reason for you to bow to me.”

  They did as commanded, like they couldn’t obey her fast enough. She wrung her hands together.

  “Explain yourself, Aliana,” Arthur ordered her, turning his back to their visitors.

  Echary took a step forward, his fine Fae features turning blade sharp. “Our princess does not answer to a mortal king.”

  The knights glared at him, their hands going to their swords. Arthur turned to the Fae and scowled. “And no foreigner gives orders to the King of Camelot.”

  “He meant no disrespect, Arthur,” Delphina said, stepping between him and the Fae. “He does not understand things here.” The Fae emissary glared at the young Fae when he tried to speak again. “He humbly begs your pardon.”

  “I’m only half Fae,” Aliana interjected, not wanting any more trouble for her friends because of her. She met Arthur’s eyes. “Titania is my grandmother.”

  Everyone was silent. Then Morgana spoke. “How have you kept all of this a secret for so long? What else are you hiding from us?”

  Aliana fought the urge to run and hide. She hated all this attention.

  “We will finish discussing this later,” Arthur said to the Sorceress. He turned back to the three Fae warriors. “What is it you came to tell us?”

  The three Fae looked to her as if needing permission. Aliana gulped but nodded once. Falorn’s face became all business again. “There is a dark force in the forests around your kingdom. Five Druid encampments have been sacked, temples have been raided and four sacred treasures stolen. No one knows what this creature is, but it conceals itself with very dark magic.”

  “We have heard reports, and experienced our own problems with dark magic,” Lancelot spoke, his voice even.

  “What do these attacks in Camelot have to do with the Fae?” Gawain asked.

  “The treasures stolen are objects of the Fae, given to the Druids, or hidden in sacred temples for protection. Several lifetimes ago, the Fae entrusted Camelot’s ruler with one such treasure. We are here to see it is protected.” Falorn looked to Queen Igraine who had come to her son’s side. It was almost as if he wanted to remind the queen.

  Leyon cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Why is this object we are supposed to have so important? How is it connected with your other stolen treasures?”

  D’varin spoke up. “Those four missing pieces join with the fifth piece, here in Camelot, to form a weapon of unimaginable power.”

  “It’s called the Spear of Hel,” Echary added. “It is a weapon to create darkness itself. It can destroy any weapon or magic, no matter how indestructible.”

  Aliana snapped her finger, the name of the spear ringing a terrifying bell in her memory, something from one of her father’s lessons in mythology. “Hel is the Norse goddess of death. She was said to be the daughter of the trickster god, Loki. In the underworld she sits in judgment of souls…” She trailed off, realizing what she had said.

  Arthur raised a brow. “What do you want of us then?” he asked the Fae.

  Falorn’s shoulder’s squared. “We want to return the final piece to our queen’s kingdom for safe keeping, and we would ask your assistance hunting down this threat and reclaim these sacred treasures.”

  D’varin nodded. “Even separated, those pieces are very powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands.”

  Aliana steeled herself. “There was something else I need to tell all of you.” She nearly crumpled under the weight of everyone’s stares. “Thanks to Delphina’s help, I now believe the map I need is in the Underworld.”

  “A map to what?” Falorn asked.

  “A map to the Grail of Power,” Merlin answered for her. “Aliana must travel to the Underworld and retrieve it.”

  Everyone was speechless, even the three Fae warriors.

  “That is suicide!” Galahad raged. “You cannot go to the Underworld, no matter the reason.”

  Aliana sighed. “My friends need me to get that map; I can’t go home without it.”

  The white knight looked ready to explode. Leyon and Gawain placed restraining hands on his shoulders.

  Arthur’s eyes narrowed before he looked back to the three visiting Fae. “You will have my decision in due time. Until that time you will leave us to discuss all of this information in private.”

  Falorn and the other two bristled at the command. They looked to Aliana, silently asking her if that was what she wanted.

  She hesitated, uncomfortable, but nodded. They bowed low and let Delphina lead them from the throne room.

  Everyone was silent until the heavy doors shut.

  “Why have you not told any of us this before?” Galahad demanded, brushing off his friend’s hands.

  Arthur held up his hand, stopping the knight. “You need to tell us everything, now, so we understand all of this.” Aliana heeded his order. “Everyone, take your seats.”

  The tension in the room was thicker than southern chili and just as heavy, as they all took their proper seats at the Round Table.

  Arthur was the last to settle in his set. “Now tell us everything you can.”

  26

  Dawn is up to something, her growing magic is proving very powerful. I’m worried she’s keeping something dangerous from us. The two Nymphs, even Princess Varaness, seem to be aiding and abetting her as well. Wade agrees, and he’s starting to panic. We’ve told Galahad our fears and he is of the same mind. Wade’s popped off to find Dawn; we’ve not seen her in hours. My instincts are telling me there is more going on…Now I know I’m right. Wade’s just returned, furious—an Elf told him Dawn and the Nymphs have gone to the Well! What the bloody hell does she think she’s doing?

  ~Owen

  ALIANA EXPLAINED THAT SHE NEEDED the map to the Grail to save her friends and stop a great evil. Lancelot had been very upset when she admitted that Titania had sent her here on this quest. She told them about the book she had found in the market and gave them a general idea of the strength of her magic. But Aliana made sure to be very careful about the words she chose and how she described things. Morgana may not have turned on them yet, but she couldn’t take a chance on tipping her hand about what little she knew of Viviane and Mordrid.

  “Are you ready to tell them about being from the future?” Dagg’s ageless voice filled her head while everyone sat, taking in all she had told them so far. No one had threatened anything or said she was crazy or demand she leave, but she still worried how they would all react when everything fully settled in.

  “No, I don’t think we should, not with Morgana here. And we promised the queen.�
� Aliana wished she could still trust the girl who had become her friend, but the hate still swirling around the Sorceress warned her to keep her secret, for now.

  She felt his hesitation, but he didn’t protest.

  “What’s your next move then, Aliana?” Owaine asked, drawing her from the silent conversation.

  She took a breath. “I need to go to the Underworld and get that map.” She realized she still hadn’t told them about Titania’s other reason for sending her here. “And there is another reason, one I’ve yet to discover, for Titania sending me here. I have to have the map and complete this ‘mystery task.’” Aliana wondered for a brief second if the mystery task had anything to do with the Spear of Hel.

  Galahad sat back in his chair, his arms crossed, his face set in determined lines. He had been very quiet since his outburst. It seemed he wasn’t talking to her again.

  “How do you intend to find and get into the Underworld?” Gawain questioned, his tone filled with support and understanding.

  “I can locate and open gates with my magic.” She looked back to Arthur. “There is a portal near where you faced that Manticore.”

  He frowned.

  Leyon cleared his throat, he and Owaine separating after sharing a quiet conversation. “Do we not think it odd that this weapon the Fae are worried about is connected to the Underworld, where Aliana needs to go?”

  Aliana bit back a smile. Still the smartest pair in the room. “I thought the same when I was telling y’all about Hel. I don’t think it is a coincidence.”

  “Needless to say, we cannot let such a powerful magical weapon fall into the wrong hands,” Merlin said, his fingers stroking his chin.

  Lancelot agreed. “I do not think we should return the last piece of this weapon.”

  Guin frowned at him. “Why not, my love?”

  Lancelot took her hand in his, kissed it lovingly. “It must have been given to Camelot’s protection for a reason. It has clearly remained safe for this long. That would not be true for no reason.”

  “Perhaps you all should help Falorn and his men while Dagg and I go to the Underworld,” Aliana suggested, hoping they would see the importance of recovering the spear pieces.

  “No.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “You cannot undertake such a thing alone!” all the guys insisted together.

  “I have to,” she insisted. “This is my quest. If there is one thing I know about Titania, it’s that she does not take kindly to outside interference. If any of you were to try to get involved…I’m scared to think what might happen.”

  “Then you do not complete this quest,” Galahad said softly, his blazing blue eyes capturing hers. “You stay with us, in Camelot. You have a home here.”

  Her lungs frosted over, the intensity and sincerity in his words and gaze shooting straight through her. But why would he want her to stay after what had happened to his sister? She shook her head. “As much as I love Camelot, and all of you…” Aliana met each of their gazes, hoping they would see the truth in her words and understand. “This isn’t my home. And my friends, my other family is counting on me to get this map and return to them. We have our own war to fight.”

  Galahad looked away from her, the broad muscles of his arms tightening.

  Merlin rose from his seat drawing all attention. “Aliana is right. As much as we may not want to, we have to help her, or I do at least. The Fae queen is the one who sent me to her when she arrived in our kingdom.”

  Everyone was silent as he sat back down, all seemingly lost in his or her own thoughts.

  Morgana’s hands smacked on the table with a cracking snap. “I do not believe this!” She turned to Arthur. “She should not be here! She was sent to us with veiled motives, has kept dangerous and important secrets from all of us, she’s deceived us, and worse Sophvira…Sophvira is dead because of her. She does not belong here and she is certainly not deserving of our aid.”

  “Enough Morgana!” Galahad shot up from his seat, his fist pounding into the table so hard it rattled.

  Aliana’s heart constricted then started to race in her tight chest, her pain and guilt still thudding inside her. “No she’s right.”

  Every pair of eyes went to her. Galahad started to protest but Arthur’s held up a hand to silence him. “For the last time, Aliana. None of us believe Sophvira’s death was your fault. It was the fault of Raven and Viviane. And they will pay for their treachery with their lives.”

  Everyone voiced their agreement, even Galahad. Only Morgana remained silent, her face pinched so tight with frustration and anger Aliana half expected it to shatter like a pane of glass.

  Arthur continued. “We will help you complete your quest, Aliana.” He held his hand up when she started to protest again. “The Fae queen sent you to Merlin and Camelot, and that means you are in need of our help, one way or another.”

  Aliana looked around the table and saw the agreement and support of the others. All except Morgana, who had sunk back in her chair, her arms crossed as she stared out the window.

  “We still need to decide what to do about the Fae and their magic spear,” Gawain pointed out.

  “I think Lancelot was right,” Owaine said. “It has been safe here since it was entrusted to Camelot; it should remain that way.”

  “What is more important is defeating this dark force and discovering who has been stealing the other four pieces of the weapon,” Leyon added.

  “Sire,” Gawain addressed the king. “What about the three Fae warriors here? We do not know how much we can trust them, but I believe we would be foolish to turn down their assistance. Fae are damn good warriors to have at our side.”

  “Agreed,” Arthur said, sitting back.

  “We have another advantage too,” Percival added, pointing to Aliana. “She is royalty to them, so they will clearly do what she tells them.”

  Aliana realized what he was getting at, thought she didn’t feel exactly comfortable with the thought. “I’ll tell them to do whatever it is you want them too…”

  “But?” Lancelot asked with a raised brow.

  She swallowed the cotton in her throat. “I think it might be a better option if they accompanied me to the gate of the Underworld.” She raised her hand when the guys started to protest. “Hear me out. You all are the strongest force in this entire realm, but only when you all are together. Separating would weaken your defense, and you’ll need Merlin and Morgana’s magic to help battle this dark force that’s terrorizing your kingdom.”

  “Say you’re right—” Arthur spoke up, silencing the other knights. “How do we know this isn’t a trap? A way to separate you from us. We have no way to know with certainty that these three are not a part of the danger to Camelot. This is a Fae weapon they want, yet why was it hidden in our realm as opposed to their own?”

  “Arthur’s right,” Owaine said. “We need to find out more.”

  “Then let me talk to them,” Aliana offered. “But we don’t have a lot of time. If this dark force only needs the piece of the spear that is hidden here in Camelot, it may already be on its way.”

  Dagg leapt from Aliana’s shoulders and landed on the Round Table. “What if we attack two birds with one stone? We all ride out to face this dark force, with Falorn and his men, and face this threat head on. Then from there, Aliana, the Fae and Merlin can travel to the portal to the Underworld so she can complete part of her quest.”

  They all looked to Arthur, knowing the decision was his to make. Aliana held her breath, her fingers twisting together in her lap under the table. Even Queen Igraine watched her son with bated interest.

  “You make a strong case, DragonLord. I agree with you.”

  Aliana let out a huffed breath at the king’s words.

  “But,” Arthur said holding up his hand. “Galahad and I will also be going with Aliana after we defeat this dark force.” He looked to his mother. “You will see to Camelot until we return.”

  The sunlight-colored woman sm
iled. “Of course, my son.”

  “Have Delphina bring the Fae back in,” he ordered the guards standing by the door.

  “Delphina?” Aliana reached out to the apricot-haired Fae mentally for the first time since arriving in Camelot.

  “I beg your forgiveness for the way Falorn and his men exposed your secret. Honestly, it did not even cross my mind to warn you.”

  “No worries now, Delphina. Arthur is not sure we can trust Falorn and his men, what do you think?”

  “I have known D’varin since I was a child, and I know Falorn by his reputation. They are good Fae. Strong, smart, loyal and deadlier than most. Echary is the only one I do not know, but D’varin has assured me he is trustworthy. And they will serve you faithfully, have no doubt.”

  Aliana took a deep breath, relaying all Delphina had said to Dagg. Her guardian nodded once as the doors opened and Arthur told Falorn his decision.

  It was just after lunch by the time everyone had changed and prepared to ride out. Guinevere, Delphina and Igraine were the only three remaining behind in Camelot. Falorn and his two friends had not been happy when Arthur had said Camelot would not relinquish their protection of the fifth part of the spear, but they had no choice but to accept the decision after Aliana had explained the reason why.

  The air was chilly with late fall wind and cloudy skies blocking out the warmth of the sun. Again Aliana feared how long she had been gone from her world, and what was happening to her friends.

  Like when they rode out to face the Manticore, there was no fanfare, only the stone-faced knights and Fae warriors preparing for battle. Falorn and his men insisted on riding with Aliana, as their princess’s honor guard, much to Galahad’s apparent disapproval. Instead, the white knight rode next to Arthur who was just ahead of them.

  Aliana glanced back at Merlin and Morgana, who would be riding just behind her and the Fae. Morgana had not even looked at her since her outburst, but the Sorceress had not stopped frowning since. Not even when her souls mate had kissed her passionately and tried to soothe her anger. The girl was currently tightening the buckle on one of her saddlebags. It was bulky, with a large bump protruding from it. Wisps of cool blue magic circled the bag for a brief second before disappearing.