Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Death, destruction, corpses. Is the sight that greets me when I open my eyes. My eyes take in these horrible sights. A wasteland greets me, corpses by the thousands. I don't want to see this, why am I seeing it. The smell of iron feels like a weight pushing down on me. I want to gag just from the smell of it all.
Where am I? This, what is this? I try to put my feet under me to stand, but it hurts just to move. Pain, coming from my stomach, an overwhelming pain that I have never felt before.
I move my head to look down to see what's wrong. Ah, that's a spear stabbed right through me. I wrap one of my hands around the haft of the Spear. My intentions to pull it out.
I feel my body getting colder with each passing minute. When I wrap both my hands around the haft, I feel a warmth coming from but I pay it no heed. I start to pull out the spear inch, by agonizing inch.
"Arghhhh" The spear rips out of me. I'm finally able to pull it out. Leaving a gaping hole in my abdomen. I almost collapsed next to the spear. Holding onto it and stabbing it into the ground to lean on.
I take a look at the spear with my half lidded eyes. Noticing, it's a spear I'm quite familiar with. I wrap my hands tightly around it, feeling a connection from the spear. It's Rhongomyniad!
I cough out, my body seizing in pain. Blood running out my mouth. I move my eyes to the body's around me. Knights. So, that's what's going on.
I push my body up onto my legs, pain wracking my body. This is the Battle of Camlann, the place where I die.
Then I have one final thing I must do. "Urgh" I must return Excalibur to Vivian, the lady of the lake. "I'm sorry Rhongomyniad, "cough, cough" but I still have use f-for you."
I'm crying on the inside as I start to use Rhongomyniad as a crutch. But this must be done. I start to move off of the hill of corpses, trying not to walk or stab any of them.
As I'm moving towards a lake I saw during the battle, I trip a few times but manage to catch myself on Rhongomyniad. Excalibur clanking on my armor with every slow step I take. God, that hurts so much.
I look down at the hole in my abdomen once more. I feel sadness and a pang of regret just looking at it. "If only I would have b-better taken care of Mordred, then…. No, it's in the past now. Can't change the past."
I cough bringing one of my hands holding me up to my mouth. Seeing the blood on the side of my hand, I know I need to get a move on. I start my last journey once more, getting ever closer to the lake.
"Don't worry Excalibur, Rhongomyniad we're almost there. Just a l-little bit…. 'Argh'." The pain, it's even worse now. I unconsciously move my hand to hold the wound, but when I look down there is just so much blood.
"J-just going to t-take a break…. here at this tree." I slowly make my way over to the tree. I lean against it, while I slide down it into a sitting position with my back against the bark. "W-well, that feels better."
I look at my surroundings, the rising sun shining through the treetops. Giving off an ethereal golden glow to the surroundings. I lean further into the tree enjoying the peaceful environment around me.
I sit Rhongomyniad beside me, the sunlight making it glow almost like it's content to be beside me. I moved my eyes to Excalibur, fastened on my waist. I slowly take it off my waist and sit it in my lap.
I feel terrible that I lost Avalon. It was one of my closest companions, and Excalibur's second half. "I wish I never lost it. And now I won't be able to see you two together ever again. Sword and Sheath."
As I say that, I hear the stomping of boots on the ground approaching me. My peaceful demeanor immediately turns Into that of a king, cold and unfeeling. I take Excalibur from my lap in both hands. It takes all of my strength just to lift it and point it towards the direction they are coming from.
I prepare myself for the incoming enemy's. Ready to die before I would ever surrender. I grip Excalibur tighter, thinking that this will be the end.
But before I can think any further someone I know breaks through the brush.
"B-Bedivere!" My entire Body relaxes all at once. I can't believe he found me. I gently place Excalibur back into my lap.
I watch Bedivere run up to me after and stop halfway. Probably seeing the state I am in. "My King!" Bedivere then sprints the rest of the way up to me, distressing over my state. "Artoria! What happened to you? No, now is not the time for that. I need to get you medical attention. Here let me help you up, my king."
As Bedivere rushes over to pick me up. I know I am already dead. With how long it's been there is no hope for me. But now I Bedivere can help me with my final wish.
I put up my hand to stop Bedivere. "No Bedivere, I am already too far gone. There's no hope for me." I say with a stern voice trying to convince Bedivere.
"My king, there must be something I can do to help! All you have to do is ask of me." Bedivere looks even more worried now, but still not wanting to touch me afraid I will break. It touches me that he still shows such kindness and loyalty after all this time. My first knight.
I smile at Bedivere, not caring for what anyone might think. " Yes Bedivere, there is still one more thing I need you to do for me."
"It doesn't matter what it is or who stands in my way, I will get it done. What do you ask of me?" I manage to giggle at Bedivere without coughing. "It's nothing like that Bedivere" I put one of my hands on the flat of Excalibur's blade slowly tracing the fairy letters one last time. "I need you to take Excalibur to the lake just up ahead and toss Excalibur into it. Can you do that for me, Bedivere?"
Bedivere takes a moment to answer, many emotions going through his eyes. "Yes my king, I will do as you say." Bedivere moved over to me, Gently taking Excalibur out of my lap. "Do not move, I shall be right back." As I watch Bedivere taking his leave, my body starts feeling even more fatigued than before. It's almost as if Excalibur was giving me some of its strength to keep me alive.
Well, it's gone now. I'm sure Bedivere will fulfill his duty. I slowly move my hand over to Rhongomyniad, taking it into my loose grip. "I at least still have you, huh Rhongomyniad. With me till the end. I just feel so tired, I think I will take a nap."
I slowly close my eyes, ending my time in this world. When Bedivere returns he will find Artoria's body to be completely gone. With Excalibur still in hand, he must wonder if she is in Avalon now.