Fanfic: Another Ending to the Dark Tower

Part One: ARTHUR

Swish, swish slash. More leaves and branches were falling to the ground, moving out of my way as the knights and I made our way through the Impenetrable Forest. I looked up to see the sky getting darker. We should be further along by now.

"Sire," I looked up to see Leon, one of my most loyal knights calling to me. The forest is thinning, we are getting close."

A wave of relief flooded through me. Don't worry Guinevere, I silently prayed to her we are coming. We will rescue you. I will come get you Guinevere. . .Guinevere. My heart ached for her. Two days ago, when she went riding to visit her fathers grave she was kidnapped by Morgana on her outing. The knights and I left yesterday morning and only just found out that Morgana took her to the one place that all knights were taught to dread. The one place that brought doom to anyone who even herd it's name. The Dark Tower.

"Good, lets pick up the pace, I want to reach the Tower by nightfall." I said looking over Leon's shoulder at the exhausted knights. "Is that understood?" I replied, a little too hasty.

"Y-yes, Sire, I shall let the others know." Leon stuttered before returning to the group. Serves him right I thought you do not let the Queen get kidnapped and get away with it. Especially when I send you and my other finest knights in the kingdom to escort her safely.

"But Sire," another one of my trusted knights, Percival came up to me, "What about Morgana? You should not expect her to leave Gwen unguarded. She will expect you to come."

"All you have to worry about is getting Gwen out of the Tower as quickly as possible. Leave Morgana to me. . ." Morgana. The name was poison on my tongue, the evil in my heart, she brought me more pain than any injury I have ever received in battle. Morgana may have tried to kill me, my father, and tried to take over the throne of Camelot more times than I could count but this, was way to far. Going after Guinevere, my Queen, my wife, my love. My heart. She had found my weak spot. I can even remember the pain and anger I felt two days ago when I found out she was taken. ..

Two Days Ago. ..

It started in his chambers when one of the servants George, burst into the room. "Sire. . ." Arthur jumped up out of my seat. "George, I thought I told you not to be disturbed unless it was something important." He had been working on his paper work on some of the matters of state that he discussed with Guinevere earlier that morning. "But, Sire. . .they have returned. . ." "What? When? Why did you not get me sooner? Where are they?" "They only just arrived Sire. And they're in Gaius's chambers, something's happened."

"What happened?"

"It's Sir Leon and Sir Percival, they-"

But Arthur did not hear the rest he was out of his chambers before George could even explain. He burst into Gaius's chambers and saw Leon and Percival laying unconscious with Elyan, Gaius, Gwaine and Merlin surrounding them. "What happened?, he had asked.

"We were riding, and came upon a nest of snakes. . ."

It was then Arthur realized something was missing. He felt it, an emptiness of a presence that was not there but should be. Her presence that he would know anywhere weather in the room or not. He looked around for her again, hoping to see her dark curls, her sweet scent, the swish of her dress, but there was none. Just an empty feeling where his heart should be full. "Where's Guinevere?" He demanded. But instead there was silence, wait. . .why are my knights looking guilty? "Where is she?" he pressed again, annoyed with the knights for being silent.

"I told her to get away. . ." Elyan replied finally. "She fled. . .um"

What? He could not, would not believe it. Guinevere, his sweet innocent Guinevere did not return to the castle? She should be here, warm, and safe in his arms. Not out there, in the wilderness cold and alone without him. He should have gone with them. Why are we standing here discussing this. I should be out there looking for her. As I stormed out I herd the perusing footsteps of Merlin behind me. "We ride at dawn" I said before we could say anything.

Stomping into my chambers I had no idea what I should do. Do I go off on my own perusing her by myself? "Morgana. . .Sorcery." Merlin had said. Morgana. I knew I could not go after Gwen now, because if I did I knew that both Gwen and my life would be endangered I started to fume again. I needed to calm down. Then I saw I, sitting on her dresser. . .prefect. I grabbed the cloth, clutching it to my chest, it smelled of her, bringing back memories.

"Um. . .I thought you might wear it, eh for luck."

''I reached for the cloth, "Thank you" I said to her not knowing what to say, she just looked up at me, her dark eyes locking into my blue ones. I leaned in locking my lips with hers, her sweet scent flooding over me. I started to pull away, as she leaned in more. . .''

The feel of her lips lingered, even now I still felt Guinevere's presence. Oh Guinevere, I'm so sorry. I would look for you now if I could. I promise to never stop searching until I find you, I vowed to myself, to her. Never stop searching, until your warm, and safe in my arms, just as you always should be.

"Sire? Sire? My lord? Arthur?" I snapped out of my flashback to see my knights calling my name, watching me. I looked up, the sky was another shade darker.

"Right, lets get going you lot, we are wasting daylight." I took the lead leading the group onward. Swish, swish slash my sword went once more. Yes Sir Leon was right, the branches are thinning. Then I saw a big clearing up ahead, I ran into a jog because I knew we were headed the right direction. I could see the Dark tower in the distance. I finally burst through the forest and on to the empty plain that lay ahead. Stretching on for miles, an endless desert surrounding where the Dark Tower stood, in the midis of it all. "Lets go" I said, leading the knights onward, to The Dark Tower. Not knowing what horrors would await me, or weather I would come back, but all I knew was that Guinevere needed me and I would come for her with every ounce of strength I had in my body, I would do whatever it took for me to make her safe again.

Part 2: Morgana and Guinevere
Ahhhhhhhh. I cringed at the screams echoing through my head. Aaahhhhhh, eeek. I plugged my ears at the sound ah, make it stop make it stop. The echos suddenly getting louder, more frightening. A darkness went through me trying to drain the good from my heart, making me feel angry, feeling hatred toward everyone I knew. I found myself slipping away as I grew angrier my heart going cold. My mind flipping through names of the people I hate, Merlin, Gaius, Percival, I hate them all, my heart turned to ice, Gwaine, Leon, Elyan, Arthur. . .Arthur. I paused wondering why that name lingered in my mind. . .Arthur. Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by a warm light. It was a glowing cloak of warmth surrounding me, restoring my heart with love, and strength. It flooded from my heart all over by body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes I felt the light. It broke through the darkness, his warm light flooding through my heart taking away the cold darkness that I felt just moments ago.

For a moment I was happy forgetting all about the dark room I was imprisoned in, forgetting where I was, who was with me. It was just me and my warm light. His light. Click, creak, boom. I jumped, the door opened revealing Morgana. She stepped into the room closing the door behind her, creak, boom, click. "Gwen, dear come join me for something to eat"

Her words surprised me, What now your offering me something after I have been in here all day? My stomach growled, well I am hungry. . .but before I could reply Arthur's velvet voice filled my head. “''No. She can not be trusted. Don't trust her love. Do you remember what she has done?''" His words rang in my ears as if he was really there reminding me of what she had done to him, to Camelot, to me. What she is still doing to me. "I want nothing from you" I screamed at her.

"Oh, come now darling", said Morgana. "You must eat or you'll. . .fade. . .away." She trailed off her eyes full of confusion, looking over me as if she could see something different about me. When I said nothing, she tried again. "Anything you want you can have. I'll give it to you."

Oh likely story, I did not believe her in a second. "The only thing I want, is to be back in Camelot, with my husband, the knights, Gaius, Merlin, people who. . .actually care about me. The only thing I want is to be away from this dark room. . .this tower. . .away from here. . .from you.” I spat to her. Morgana's face fell. “Careful, love. . .” I froze did I go to far?

“Guinevere. . .” it sent shivers down my spine, it was only Arthur that ever called me Guinevere, when she did it, it sent a chill through my spine. “I can not do that.” said Morgana coldly. “Not when I know that Arthur and the others torment you. Hate you. Would do anything to get rid of you. So answer this,. . .Guinevere,” another shiver down my spine “How do you expect me to give you what you want when I know that Camelot is filled with people who don't love you? Or care for you? Hum??”

What? They hate me? Don't love me? The darkness started creeping in again, I did not even notice Morgana's twitching hand and a golden tint to her eyes. I felt the hate beginning to return, but thankfully, Arthur's light gave me a new surge of energy. It burst from my chest repelling the darkness forming a protective force field around me. Arthur's soft velvet voice came in my head again ''“Don't worry love, our love is stronger than anything. As long as you love me as much as I love you, it will protect you from any magic, any spell any enchantment. Don't listen to Morgana, just keep loving and you will be absolutely fine. I promise.” ''His words gave me strength, I finally found my voice “I will not be broken by you, nor will I believe anything you say. I know Arthur and I know he will never stop loving me.” Morgana started staring at me, confused. “Oh come now Morgana” I said taking in her gaze. “Our love can out last anything and anyone, you of all people should know that.”

Suddenly I felt the cool,hard stoned wall, up against my body “oof” I was taken by surprise. When I fell down to the floor I herd a faint 'pop' “Oww” I screamed clutching my shoulder which was now swelling and throbbing like crazy. Was it broken?

“You should try and not cross my path Gwen. I can be very nasty with my Magic.”

'Then why don't you kill me?” I asked looking up to see her watching me, looking rather quite smug. I started to panic, I could feel the presence of Arthur's outrage, his words in my head. ''“Don't give her any ideas love. . .”''

“Darling, what good will it achieve if I kill you right now? As much fun as it sounds you are more valuable to me alive, plus you know how Arthur is, he'd try and kill me if I did anything. . .” “You got that right.” said Arthur. At this point I was confused. What is Morgana playing at? “If I am to achieve the throne of Camelot then I have to bargain with something Gwen. And it seems that the only thing he can not bare to lose. . .is you.” I could feel the light burning inside my chest, was that a hint of anger?

I tried to get up from the ground. . .bang. Morgana threw me against the hard stone wall again. Ah, my shoulder has to be broken now. I lay there crumpled in a heap refusing to try again. Click, creek, boom. The door slammed, echoed through the room and Morgana was gone. Tears flowed down my cheeks, Oh Arthur, Oh Arthur I wish you were with me. . . “Shhh, don't cry love” I could hear his voice again softening from the anger he had before, trying to comfort me. “''Your a brave beautiful girl and I will come for you soon, just hang on a little longer. ''Then, the screams filled the room trying to force themselves back inside my body. I flinched, waiting. Waiting for the horrors to fill my heart once more, to turn it into the ice cold darkness that had come over me earlier. I did not want to go there but how could I stop it? I would rather die here then go back to the ice cold hatred. ''“Don't worry love. You are safe, as long as our love holds. It will protect you remember? I promise, you will not die” he said to my unspoken thought, “I will be there soon. This will never happen again I promise. I'm so sorry. . .I love you.” ''And with that he voice left me, but leaving his warmth with me. Huh, huh. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes thinking of him, thinking of my love. He will be here I know it because I have faith in him. He will come.

* * *

MORGANA

How dare she? After all we have been through together she refuses me. Refuses my help. What was going on? The mandrakes are not taking any affect. They should have broken by now, her own will should be mine. It must have been that mysterious magic affect I felt when that burst of gold light burst from her when I tried to enchant her. Where did that come from?? I have known Gwen all my life, she is not a sorcerer. . .Oh, of course Emris. He must have put a protective spell over her mind, so I can't get into her head. But it does not take affect when I hurt her physically hum. ..

I could just kill her, but what is the fun in that without a little show. Now all I need is. . .WHAT?? I found myself looking through a window and happened to see from a distance, six figures moving toward the tower. I looked closer, a smile grew on my face, well well well, its my dear brother and his rescue party for their Queen. Perfect timing. ..

* * *

GUINEVERE

''“No. Guinevere!”''

''“Arthur” I screamed to him struggling against the guards pulling at my arms. “No Arthur please. . .”''

''“No” He ran from the guards grip and closer to me. I fought to reach him, he came running at me, full speed, grabbing my waist and locking my lips to his. For that moment I gave him all I had, not knowing if I would ever be able to do this again. And he gave me every ounce that he had towards me and that kiss. For a small moment we were comforted by each other our kiss filled with so much lust. But time does not stop, he was pulled away from me just as quickly as our kiss. The guards had caught up, ripping us apart, his words was the last comfort he gave me.''

“I will always love you.”

''I looked up at him calling my name, the guards pulling me. Ow, I don't remember my shoulder being hurt this much. Then and something caught my eye. Morgana. Wait. . .she's smirking? What why? Did she want this to happen? And one look told me everything, our eyes met. Yes, she did plan this. . .no wonder it was her and Uther that found us in the woods. . .ow.''

* * *

I felt it again, right on my shoulder. I woke from my slumber, the image of Morganas evil image stuck in my brain. I looked up to see her standing over me, kicking my shoulder trying to get me awake.

“Get up.” she said. “We have preparations to make.” Preparations? Oh, Arthur must be close. “The knights will be arriving soon. I don't want the show to be ruined, plus we need some entertainment for our guests.” She smirked at me, my heart filled with dread. It was that same look she had in my dream. I wonder what this 'entertainment' of her's was. She grabbed me by my hurt shoulder and steered me out of the room. My heart turned cold, I had a feeling that I was just about to find out.