Arthur had spent the whole night awake, thinking. The thoughts that occupied his head were of confusion and bewilderment; he really did not know what to do. There were times when he thought he had been lost and that no solution existed, but he'd pulled through impossible situations before. This time, however, he felt not only lost, but also very alone. It was like a hole black as dark as the night sky was growing in his chest, threatening to consume him completely - and the problem; he wasn't doing anything about it. He was so far away from the top that all he could see was the bottom. The name of a certain woman haunted him every time he tried to close his eyes. Arthur had never experienced such agony before.

He grabbed his sword and limped outside to get some air. He just needed to do something. It was still early and therefore the village was quiet. Its people were sound asleep in their homes. Only Arthur seemed to be out.

"Trouble sleeping?" a voice asked. It was Allena. She came towards 'Percival' as if she came from the fields surrounding the village.

He nodded.

"Me too," she said. "So I took a walk." She drew a deep breath and looked around. "I like how beautiful it is out here in the morning."

"Where are we? I don't seem to recognize this place?"

"Geldrion," Allena answered and showed him the small, but cozy village. "We are not many people here, but we have very little trouble..." She took 'Percival' with her as she carried on, showing him the whole town in a matter of twenty minutes. "It's small, but it does have its charms. Those fields you see out there are much bigger than they look. I take a walk out there sometimes. It's very beautiful." She smiled kindly at him.

Arthur still had to support himself with his sword in order to walk around the village. Every time he lifted the sword up from the ground, it felt a little heavier than ever before.

"That is also very beautiful," Allena said pointing to that very sword. " I suppose you know how to use it?"

He scoffed, almost smiling. "Is that a challenge?"

She chuckled. "You bet it is."

With hard effort, Arthur got his sword lifted up into the air. He swung it quickly, careful not to hurt himself more than he had to and was surprised to find that he could still weald his sword as perfectly as ever - or almost. It was clear that he had gained strength throughout the days since his arrival. "It doesn't really hurt," he said. "Not too much, anyway." That pain had begun to subside, but the other pain had only increased.

Allena watched as he swung his sword again and again. Never before had she seen such skills. They were nothing less than amazing. "Where have you learned all that?" she asked.

He didn't look at her, but lowered his sword. "That's not of importance," he said and sat himself down at a nearby piece of rock. "My past is past."

"But why you won't speak of your home?" Allena persisted. "You became a knight for a reason I expect. It takes time, it takes effort, and it takes respect from what I have heard. We have many travelers passing through here from time to time, you see. That way we learn so many stories of kingdoms far distant and different ways of living. It's all right if you want to keep yours a secret. Just know that everything you won't say could potentially hurt someone - someday."

Arthur frowned as he remembered... "They lied to me," he said. "Every single one of those people I called my friends. They betrayed me because I wasn't worthy of my heritage..."

Allena didn't seem to believe him. "Maybe it's time I told you something," she said and caught him by surprise. "Come along." She took him to the brink of the forest where the true beauty of land revealed itself. Through the leaves of every tree and the light breeze that swept through them and made them dance. "I always loved this place... but I haven't been here in a while. You see, something happened here. Something terrible. I reckon you noticed the scar on my mother's left cheek?"

Arthur nodded.

"Well, one day I went out here to meet one of the boys from our village. We had planned it for a long time, he and I, and it all seemed so perfect - until the bandits came. Somehow they must have discovered us and then they attacked. He fought as I screamed my lungs out for help. My mother heard me and she came to help us along with my father and the rest of the town... but it was already too late. Yes, we got every single bandit that attacked us slain, but we had also lost a friend, a son and in my case, a fiancée..." Her voice broke. "It was horrible. The village has never been the same afterwards. Mother hates injustice more than anything. She thinks by fighting it, she can change what happened that night, but no matter what, we all know deep down that it isn't possible to do so." A tear ran down her cheek.

It was as if his heart suddenly wasn't the only one torn apart. Allena felt the same pain. That was clear to him now. Even though it had been a while since the incident that happened here took place, it still had a great impact on her. And he understood. As another tear began to fall, he limped to her side, drying it off.

"I am so sorry," he said, frowning earnestly. "Had I known about this, I promise you, I would have offered you help in the fight against these bandits."

"You are kind," she said in a small voice. "But there was nothing to be done. In the end, only magic could have saved him... And besides, I know my mother did try."

"But what about these bandits?" Arthur asked. "Have they all gone?"

She looked up at him. "Yes." It was obvious that even though Allena was a young woman, she had strength. It could not have been easy for her to have lost the love of her life and then have to witness others' love. It would be a knife in her heart.

"Don't pity me," she said and began the walk back to the village. "It will only make it harder to bear to be reminded of what happened. I just want to forget."

"I understand," he answered. "You are very--"

"Well, well, look here boys! Isn't that the brave little knight, Siiiir Percival, and a little female?" The three men all laughed at Cedric's words. He walked over to 'Percival', smirking like an idiot.

Arthur glared at him, crossing his arms. "Didn't I tell you not to stick your nose in where it doesn't belong?"

Cedric got angry. "I don't take orders from anyone. Not even a knight. And we still have that fight to settle; so let's fight right here, right now." He drew out a rusty old sword.

"I will not," Arthur said. "It wouldn't be fair."

"Fair? I'll tell you what's fair!" Cedric yelled. "Fight me!" He swung his sword, going straight for 'Percival'.

"No!" Allena screamed as Arthur pulled her out of the way before defending himself against Cedric.

"Oh, playing the hero, are we?" Cedric snarled. "Why don't you show me what you're made of instead?"

Driven by sudden rage, Arthur forgot about his wounds and fought Cedric as any real enemy. It didn't take long before his opponent found himself in trouble. Cedric's calculations had been wrong; Arthur was a whole lot better than expected. The two other men that were friends of Cedric's, felt their jaws drop; after only one minute, Cedric was lying flat on the ground with Arthur's sword pointing at his chest.

"I don't know what you are trying to prove, but know this. I will not show you this mercy thrice." Arthur saw the fear in the eyes of his enemy as he pulled away, closely followed by Allena.

"Percival!" she said. "Wait!"

He didn't wait, but continued to walk back to the village. It didn't take long before Allena reached him. She saw the anger etched into his face and how tight a grip he had on the sword. Allena didn't dare to say a word, not wanting to anger 'Percival' any further.

Arthur limped his way to a stump of wood, where he sat down with an inaudible groan. Here, he began to sharpen his sword, trying not to think about anything. Allena could not get him to speak of what just happened and in the end simply left him alone to cool off.

A man came rushing into the village then. He was tall, thin and shaking all over. His clothes were drenched by the night's rain. Adrian didn't seem surprised to find another man passing through Geldrion and quietly asked the man to declare himself.

"I am Micah," said he, finally allowing himself to relax. "I am only passing through in the hope of returning home."

Adrian nodded thoughtfully. "Sit yourself down, Micah, and eat. We shall see if we can do anything to help."

Arthur frowned while looking at this man.

"Where are you headed?" asked Alys as she poured water and handed it to the exhausted traveler.

"The kingdom of Camelot," the man answered. "To meet my people."

Arthur froze.

"Camelot?" Adrian repeated. "That must be a faraway kingdom - through the forest of Ascetir, perhaps?"

Micah nodded. "Indeed, but I must not be seen in public there. There are such horrors to fear." He drank all of his water. "I must avoid meeting her soldiers. You see, an evil witch has taken control of everything there..." And so Micah told the story of Morgana overtaking the kingdom. Every villager listened with wide eyes and horrified expression, whilst Arthur remained motionless. The story felt like torture.

"This man is so frightened," Allena said, as she and Arthur headed back for the family house. "But why would he return home if he knows of the great dangers he goes to face?"

Arthur said nothing at first. He kept staring at the ground, thinking. It was very unusual to see a man from Camelot so far away from the kingdom itself, but what was more important; her soldiers. That meant Morgana was queen now. To have it confirmed was like a cold shiver, running down his spine. The people were suffering from poverty, famine - and there was nothing he could do about it. Nothing whatsoever. It was magic against man, an unfair and unjust match. Arthur did not feel like the king he used to be - that he was supposed to be.

"Think of the rumors," 'Percival' suggested. "Perhaps he misses the home he used to know."

"True enough," Allena said. "I don't think I could leave this place. My family and this place is all I have." She sent him a tiny smile. Then she went to wash clothes, like she promised her mother she would. Her sister Morna followed with the intention to help. Arthur decided to continue the sharpening of his sword and found a stone to sit on and began working. He had to do something to rest his mind, to push every thought and memory of Camelot away.

"... We shall give you a bed for the night, but now I must go. Good luck on your journey, Micah." Adrian shook Micah's hand and vanished into the eating house once more.

Micah took a look around. The people of the village were no doubt all farmers, but one man stood out. He was young, handsome, tall, and had bright blond hair. He was sharpening a sword with such great strength it could only be caused by anger and rage. Knowing this, Micah approached him, eyes revealing pure shock.

"Sire?!" he whispered, breathlessly.

Arthur nearly jumped to his feet. "Who are you?" he hissed, too shocked to remember who he was talking to.

"I am but your humble servant, Micah!" He was about to bow, but Arthur grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Please do not!" Arthur said, afraid someone might've seen it. "Come this way and we can talk in peace." Aware that they had already become subjects of some attention, Arthur led Micah to the brink of the forest, hidden from view of others. "What is your business here? Truly?" he demanded.

Micah took a bow quickly, afraid to offend his king. "I- I hear tell, Sire," he said, almost as quiet as a whisper. "That the witch will soon be beaten. That you yourself had returned from beyond the grave to set things straight. I am honored, my lord, that I now have the chance to accompany you there."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Nobody else here knows of my true identity and I want to keep it that way." He made sure Micah understood. "I am glad to have your support, Micah, but I'm afraid I must disappoint you; I can do nothing for Camelot. I am sorry your trip has been in vain. I must ask you not to go back to Camelot, it would be suicide."

"I'm not so sure, my lord," Micah continued. "There is one man who can help..."

"No," Arthur snapped. "Emrys cannot help any more. He vanished the day Morgana attacked."

"No, Sire, he didn't. She has ordered him to be arrested and executed, but no matter where she searches he cannot be found... Emrys is still out there, Sire. He is waiting for you to take your place beside him in the fight against the witch."

Arthur's hands turned into fists. "No," he repeated. "Emrys is gone."

"I don't think so." Micah bowed his head. "But I thank you for your time, Sire." He left a puzzled Arthur behind. Was it really true? Could Camelot be saved? He knew not of a stronger sorceress than Morgana, but truth be told, he had himself seen the magic of which Merlin possessed. He went by the name Emrys, which was supposedly the name of the sorcerer whom was said to be Morgana's doom. So where was he now? Where was everyone whom Arthur used to know? Why had they left him here in Geldrion?

One man, no matter how great, cannot not fight a such a war on his own nor know his destiny.