Goodbye

[gilli-ann.livejournal.com]

Author: gilli_ann
Title: Goodbye
Rating: G
Pairing/s: Gwen/Lancelot, Gwen/Arthur
Character/s: Gwen, Lancelot
Summary: Lancelot wouldn't leave without saying goodbye
Warnings: Canonical character death
Word Count: 250
Prompt: 394 Doppelganger
Author's Notes: Canon compliant, takes place during Season 4 episode 2 'The Darkest Hour'



Goodbye

Another weary day drew to an end. Gwen looked out of the king's window towards the Isle of the Blessed, westwards beyond the sun's last light. Soon they would all have to face another dark night, terrorized by the lethal Dorocha.

No word of Arthur's progress had reached Camelot since he and his knights left. Her heart went out to them, hoping for the best.

Everyone in Camelot huddled inside by now, cowering in fear by the hearth fires, but suddenly Gwen caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Craning her neck, she saw a red cloak and a familiar head of dark hair.

She gasped. Were they back already? Had their mission failed?

As Gwen stood there, frozen, Lancelot looked up and met her eyes. He saluted her with a loving, carefree smile and walked on, leaving her line of sight.

Gathering her skirts, she rushed to the window on the other wall. It offered a better view.

There was no-one out there. The courtyard was deserted.

Gwen stepped back with a small cry. She had never seen a doppelgänger before, but she was in no doubt what had happened. Lancelot had kept his promise to her. The visitation had been his farewell. She wouldn't see him alive again.

In the failing light, everything was silent. She could sense a change. The terror that had weighed heavily on every heart was gone. The veil had been closed.

She hid her face in her hands and sobbed.