We're All Nomads Here

[Arthur Pendragon]

It was the day of the battle, though they did not yet know it. They were getting nearer and while everyone was busy, there was a strong tension in the air. Fear. It was pure fear. Despite Arthur's little speech last night to raise spirits and morale, he was well aware of the small chance of success. They were villagers, about to face a small army of raiders. They were ruthless killers and would show no hesitation in killing them. But these villagers . . . Arthur didn't know what was going to happen come tomorrow. What he did know was that no matter what they faced, he would be there facing it with them, and just pray that somehow a miracle came about that would save them all. It was unlikely. He was heavily relying on the strategy since combat strength was not their forte. They could draw in Kanen's men and strike them all at once . . . of course, that was the difficult part. But it was all they had.

Arthur's mind rested on many things, including the future of Camelot if he were to die but he would never regret coming here, for Merlin. Then of course there was the fact that an entire village and all its inhabitants lives were in danger. He had encouraged them to fight for their rights . . . would it have been safer to follow Will's suggestion to just flee? It was not that easy to run away from a life that they created from scratch. From the farm they worked; from the homes they built; from everything they knew. There was just so much to consider and while on the outside Arthur was confident and spreading encouragement, inside, he was so uncertain and quite fearful of what tomorrow would bring. It would claim the lives of the people . . . and those he cared about. A great deal was at stake. Too much.

Everyone was taking a break from the training Arthur was giving them. They had been at it since the early morning and it was now early afternoon. But, it was essential that they learn how to carry a weapon and use it. All he could teach them was the basics, of how to land a mortal blow for that would be what mattered. They would not have time to spar or dance around; they had to strike once and strike hard. Kanen and his men would show no reservations when it came to fighting them, so neither could they. Three people that Arthur had come with were not present during the training. They were busy preparing weapons and getting everything else set in place. But that did not mean they were far from his mind. He saw Guinevère talking to Will, and Morgana close by. He had given Guinevère a short little lesson the day before, but this would be the last opportunity he would have to give them each a bit of one on one training.

Still clad in only half his armor [one around his neck and the shoulder plates on his upper arms], void of the chainmail, with his sword at his side, he began approached them. The others could take a break, but if he did . . . it would be wasted time and a wasted opportunity when he could be showing them how to defend themselves as best he could in a couple days time. At a bit of a distance, he picked up two swords with his gloved hands, one for Morgana and one for Guinevère. Morgana could handle a sword. Guinevère, was someone Arthur was greatly worried for. She had been so reluctant to strike him, even with a stick. Perhaps tomorrow when she was directly in the face of danger, it would be different. With the adrenaline rushing and realizing she had no other choice, maybe she would be able to strike. But, he had to make sure. "Morgana, Guinevère. Come with me please," he told them. It was not an order but a request. He waited a few moments, holding the two swords in his hand before seeing that they would follow, and began to walk towards the edge of the woods surrounding Ealdor.


_{Setting: In the village of Ealdor
Time of Day: Early afternoon
Timeline: During the Moment of Truth; the day before the battle
Tag: Guinevère and Morgana
Notes: Lets get this threesome started!}

[Guinevère]

"Morgana, Guinevère. Come with me please," Guinevère looked up from talking with Will and felt herself grow a bit cold. Will was not a fan of what they were doing, and he walked swiftly off, while Guinevère looked back at Morgana. She wondered if Morgana knew how foolish she had been earlier but knew that she had not told her best friend and surely the prince had not. Standing she walked toward where they prince lead them, while thinking of what happened the night before.

Arthur had first been given food, and when he turned his noise up she had yelled at him--AT PRINCE! The king would have had her head! Yet not the prince. . . . Arthur. He had thanked her, and she had even saw a bit of the less bold side of him to see that even he did feel fear at times.

Then last night he told the women to flea, and for once in her life--she spoke up. Told him the woman would NOT leave their homes for they had as much right to fight as the men. Finally she had broken her silence! And he again, yielded to her words. It had been empowering, and it made her wonder what he was about to ask of her and Morgana.

Looking back at her friend again, she kept following the prince.