NOT GIVING UP

Back at Castle Longford, the entire citadel was finally at peace. They had endured days of constant battle, and finally it had paused – for the time being at least. However, there was one particular person within the city walls who was quite restless about something else.

The night was cold and the air dry; with her lips slightly parted she tasted the bitter loneliness. She had little care for tears, seeing as she had shed them profusely when Arthur left. Maybe she had not realised what she was giving up when she told him. The immensity of losing him weighed heavier on her heart than she imagined.

There she was, gazing out towards the deep and endless night sky, as if waiting for a miracle to happen. It felt like nothing mattered anymore, even though Rosalie knew such thoughts were foolish. Her people mattered, the kingdom her father reigned over mattered. Why would she think such a thing? Because she was heartbroken by some prince? Well, she knew he wasn't just any prince.

In her hand she held a crumpled up piece of parchment. It was the note Arthur had left for her a few weeks ago. Those days seemed long gone, as if it was all a dream. A dream she had just woken up from.

No matter how immense her pain, Lady Rosalie knew it was wise to at least try and get some rest. The kingdom still had a long journey ahead of them, and having her at their side might just be the thing that could help them survive.

The warning bells started to chime loud and alarmingly throughout the castle, which awoke Lady Rosalie from her 'sleep'. If sleep implied being completely conscious, simply with ones eyes closed.

She dispersed from her room as quickly as she could, treading without fear into the courtyard. There, the soldiers of Longford castle were gathering with hesitation and fear in their eyes. It seemed their spirits were low, and with little determination or hope amongst the troops, not even with Lady Rosalie's powers could they win this.

Lady Rosalie flew up on one of the crates, immediately drawing attention to herself by doing so.

"Listen up," she roared at the highest volume she could manage. ", I know you are all tired and you have all fought hard. Your wives and children, the king and all his servants could never be more grateful. You have survived with pride, and I ask of you to go out there and fight to survive once more. For Longford!" It was the first motivational speech Lady Rosalie had ever given, but it seemed to have enchanted all the knights of Longford as their swords heaved up towards the sky.

"For Longford!" They all roared in unison, starting to group in different formations.

"Good job, sis." Fergus said, helping his sister down from the crate. "Now you be careful."

Lady Rosalie chuckled quietly. "Aren't I always?"

The look Fergus gave her said it all: Lady Rosalie was everything but careful. But so far she'd managed, so he prayed to the Maker she would do so again. Fergus sped off to his platoon, commanding them to head out.

Taking in a deep breath Lady Rosalie followed a group of knights out towards the gates, looking down upon their nearing enemies. She drew up the hood of her cloak, melting into the shadows.

Then, the fighting began. Bashing of shields, the striking of blades and the roaring of men pierced everyone's ears. Vigilantly Lady Rosalie observed the battlefield, her hands outstretched in front of her as she aimed at a small platoon that neared her brother's knights.

"Ádfyre ealdorman!" She whispered, as a ring of fire surrounded Rathbone's soldiers, who all backed away as the fire blazed out towards them.

However, while absorbed by the magic she had cast, she did not realize some of Rathbone's men were nearing her back. A load growl drew her attention, as from behind her the sound of swords parrying sounded.

Her stomach lurched when she realized it was Arthur who had jumped in between her and the blade that was about to throttle right through her back. They exchanged a brief glance, with no words spoken. But no words were needed. Arthur had come back for her, or perhaps he'd forgotten something and she was just being naïve. But he was here, and that was al that mattered.

Arthur had taken on three of Rathbone's men, struggling to fight them off. And then the most unimaginable thing happened. The sword of one of the men pierced Arthur's armor, stabbing the left part of his chest. Arthur's knees buckled and he fell to the ground. The soldiers surrounded him, with ravenous grins plastered across their faces.

From inside the depths of Lady Rosalie, a power suddenly awakened. Her eyes flickered blue, the brightest blue ever to be seen that it almost glowed. "No!" She cried out, as the men were flung away from Arthur by an unseen force.

She fell down by his side, pulling his limp body towards her. "Arthur? Arthur!" She whispered in a scream, panting.

Arthur's eyes sluggishly opened, as he looked up to see Lady Rosalie's concerned face towering over him. "Rosalie – I, I'm so sorry – sorry I left." He managed to utter.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. It is forgotten." Lady Rosalie assured him.

"No, it's not okay, I -." Arthur moaned at the jabbing pain in his chest.

"Hush." Lady Rosalie whispered, her slender fingers running through his golden blond locks. "I will bring you to safety."

Whilst roars of men on the battlefield sang in the background, Arthur awoke in a feathery bed, wrapped up in a warm blanket. At his side, sat Rosalie who was fumbling with her thumbs, holding a small piece of wet cloth in her fist. For a moment he did not say a word, he wanted to treasure this moment. As if it could be the last moment he ever had with her.

"You're awake." The ever so perceptive Lady Rosalie gasped, batting her eyelashes nervously. Trying to sit up straight, Arthur let out a moan of pain. "You should lie down. The physician says your wound is very deep." Lady Rosalie conveyed quietly. "Does it hurt a lot?"

When Arthur saw the worried look on Rosalie's face, he couldn't really tell her that it hurt more than she could possibly imagine. "It hardly even phases me. You need not worry, my Lady." Arthur assured her.

"But I do, anyway." Rosalie whispered, nearly inaudibly.

Even though he felt weak, Arthur lifted up his hand, carefully caressing her soft cheek. "I'm sorry I left, the way I did." He apologized, sincerely. "I've never been good with saying the right things to people I care about, but … all I know is that – I love you. And that is all that matters to me."

Rosalie felt tears well up in her eyes, her vision becoming blurry.

"Don't cry, Rosalie." Arthur mumbled, pushing a strand of her dark brown hair from her face.

Rosalie looked him in the eyes, bringing her lips to his. "I'm sorry for lying to you. I love you."