King Arthur (2017 Legend of the Sword OC Fanfic)

45. Life Lessons

(Please read the Author's Note at the end. Thanks and Enjoy!)

As Lucy began to wake in the early hours of the next morning, she snuggled in closer to the warmth of Arthur's body heat. Her hand trailed across the dips and crevices of his muscled abs and chest. She briefly thought about how she would never get tired of being close to him. While she wrapped her arms tighter around him, Arthur laid there unaffected. He made no movements or noise, just laid there peacefully. But Lucy thought nothing of it as she closed her eyes again to sleep just a little bit longer.

When she opened her eyes again she knew something was wrong. Arthur had yet to move or sway from his position. He seemed stiff and cemented to his spot. She sat up quickly in the bed and shook Arthur's shoulder trying to wake him, but he wasn't even bothered. A million things ran through Lucy's mind at once, and she all but panicked. Remembering the lessons Amora taught her, she took a moment to breathe and process the events logically.

The first thing she noted, which put her at ease, was that Arthur was still very much alive. He body breathed and held heat, but he wasn't conscious. It was as if his mind was trapped in another place. That made Lucy a bit worried. She thought about how Arthur described her time in the void, and how it was three days of her in a comatose state. But they couldn't have that right now, Arthur was supposed to lead an army into battle and he surely can't do that from his bed.

Lucy thought long and hard about what to do. She didn't know for sure what was going on, nor did she want to raise alarm. How could this have happened to him? What does the void want with him? How long will he be trapped there?

Lucy didn't have all day to figure this out, she needed a plan now. She scrambled to her feet with a new plan in mind. She tucked the sheets around Arthur, planted a quick kiss on his forehead, and then quickly got dressed. She knew she couldn't go to the void and find him because the void was ambiguous, it can do and be anything it wants. So if she can't go to him and save him, then she must do what she can to hold down the fort, as it were, in his absence.

With her mind made up, she left the darkened room with one last look at Arthur's sleeping form. She bestowed him with a quick kiss at the last second, with the whispered words, "I'll fix this."

She wished she could just stay by his side, in the comforts of their bed, until he is able to wake but she can't. This war, that which is all her fault, can't be fought without a brave and courageous leader. It needed someone to rise to the occasion and defend what is right. Arthur had gone above and beyond for Lucy, which was why it was now her turn to return the favor.

It was still quite early in the morning, as the castle was still quiet. Lucy quickly made her way up the stairs to the table room to find it bare and empty. Of course, she thought, because why would the knights just be hanging around the table.

At that moment Beatrice came into the room and startled Lucy.

"Oh, it's just you," Lucy sighed in relief.

"Morning Miss Lucy, the breakfast hall is downstairs." Beatrice pointed down the way.

"Yes, I am aware of that." Lucy nodded her head with a sarcastic tone. She knows that she has been gone a while but that didn't mean she forgot the layout of the castle.

"Then why are you up here?"Beatrice questioned. Lucy liked Beatrice, but she couldn't help but feel like the girl was getting on her nerves. She didn't want to answer curious questions right now, she needed to speak to the Knights. 

"I was looking for the Knights of the Round Table," Lucy stated.

"Where is King Arthur?" Beatrice looked around for him as if he would pop out any second.