The Woman In the Tree Read online

  The Woman in The Tree: The True Story of Camelot

  By Natasha D Lane

  Text copyright 2018 by Natasha D. Lane

  First copyrighted as The Woman In the Tree: The True Story of Camelot

  All Rights Reserved

  The Woman In the Tree: The True Story of Camelot

  Cover design by Benlin Alexander

  Edited by Tina Winograd

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review.

  The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Content

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Prologue

  “D o you think this is really necessary?” Robin watched Arthur place her chamber items in a large pouch. She played with the charm bracelet he had given to her several months ago as a ninetieth birthday gift.

  Arthur didn’t turn to look at her when he replied. “Completely, Gwynevere,” he said.

  She took in a sharp breath. “You know I hate when you call me by my first name.”

  “Oh, I know,” he replied, a smile in his voice.

  She rolled her eyes. “Maybe he won’t come. Maybe it was all a mistake.”

  “No. We are sure of his intentions and his plan. You must leave.”

  “Can you stop?” She sat up from the corner.

  He was silent.

  “Arthur, stop, please.”

  He continued to march around the room, packing away her belongings.

  “Will you at least feign interest in my words?”

  He tossed a wool scarf into the pouch and turned towards her closet.

  “Stop it, now!” Robin shouted, stomping her foot and glaring at him from across the room.

  All the shuffling ceased and the only sound was the crackling fire. Finally, he had stilled.

  Robin sighed. She released her stance and walked to him. He turned to face her and brought her into his arms. She sunk into him, pressing her forehead into his neck and her face into his chest. She took in a deep breath.

  He must have walked in the gardens today.

  “I do not enjoy ignoring you, Robin. It’s only because I must finish preparations for your journey.”

  He lifted his face to the top of her head. She smiled, and he kissed her forehead.

  “And since you refuse to pack, I must do it for you. The midnight bell will ring soon. You must be on your way. Liz is already waiting.”

  He pulled away and begin stuffing the pouch once more.

  Robin ran her hands through raven black hair and closed her eyes. She could feel a spell coming on but didn’t wish Arthur to take notice. Her “weak constitution,” as the doctor called it, already had Arthur and her uncle Terryn watching her every move. Now that she may be gone from them for some time, having a fit before her departure would only worsen their concern.

  She cleared the fog from her head before snatching the pouch from Arthur’s hands.

  “I think that’s enough,” she said. “During our speedy exit, I do not want to be weighed down by all the items you consider necessary for a ‘young lady.’”

  Arthur sighed. “Well, you would know better than I, wouldn’t you?” He winked and smiled at her.

  She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Such sexist humor does not fit you, Arthur.”

  He shrugged. “If it ruffles your feathers a bit, it fits me just fine.”

  Robin tossed the pouch at him. “You will carry my things, then. Since I’m such a frail and delicate lady.”

  He gave her a grin. “Are we ready then?”

  She held up a finger and moved to the fireplace. There was a loose stone in the mantle which she pressed inward. As she pressed, a stone on the right side of the fire place jutted out. The stone was long and hollow and inside were two glistening daggers.

  Robin grabbed them, placed them under her cloak, and pushed the top stone in again.

  Arthur stared wide-eyed.

  “And how long have you had those?”

  “Since I came here all those years ago. They belonged to my parents. Figured I’d never have a chance to use them but they do fit the oh-so-dangerous feeling of tonight. Do you agree?”

  “You never told me about them.”

  “Well, we all have our secrets, don’t we?” She raised a brow and gestured towards his sword. “Like where you got Excalibur from. You’ve never told me the full story.”

  He cleared his throat. “As you said, we all have our secrets. Let’s go.”

  Arthur tossed the pouch over his shoulder and stepped into the hallway with Robin at his heels.

  “Let it be known that when you and my uncle are proven wrong, I was the one who thought this whole concept ridiculous.”

  “And when you realize your uncle and I have saved you, let it be known you were wrong.”

  Robin rolled her eyes. “Cadfen hardly speaks to me. We were only close as children. And even if he were planning to claim me as his, as you say, why me? My cousin Morganna is the direct heir. It would make more sense to wed her.”

  “Morganna is being taken a different route. Only as a safety precaution though. Yours was the name he listed in his journals.”

  “And I’ve told you those journals could have been planted. Many men are jealous of Cadfen’s station. He’s been loyal to my uncle for years. Why would he cause a riot now?”

  Arthur was quiet for a moment. He took slow steps and occasionally looked behind them.

  Robin itched to pull at his hair for a response.

  “I don’t pretend to, nor would I ever want to, understand the ways of traitors.”

  She took in a hard breath. Calling an esteemed soldier a traitor was a high insult, especially coming from a knight. Still, of high station or not, such a crime was punishable by lynching, skinning, or worse.

  “We’re here,” he said.

  The pair stood in an abandoned room whose only décor was a dining set and a bed. The first-floor chamber had once been Terryn’s playroom as a child. Now it housed a hidden tunnel.

  Terryn and Robin’s father Allen constructed the passage when they were older and had used it to sneak away from the castle. Their parents never discovered their mischief.

  Robin could hear Arthur grunting from under the bed.

  “Need help?” she asked, peeking below the bed frame.

  He shook his head. “Only a few more stones. Then follow me down.”

  Several minutes passed before Arthur emerged again. He was dusty, sweaty, and smiling.

  “What’s so funny?” she said.

  “Nothing really. I’m just very relieved the hole is big enough for you.”

  Robin pounced at him. He rolled out of her range and crawled under the bed before sticking a hand out and waving her under.

  “Come along.”

  Thanking Trithian she wore a slimmer dress, Robin followed Arthur down the tunnel. She had to admire the engineering of it all. Earth had been pushed back and rocks now protruded forward in specific areas. Each rock was the perfect distance from its companions, making the climb down relatively easy despite the narrow passage. Her father and uncle had done well.

  At the bottom, Arthur jumped down and waited for her to fall. She dropped into his arms and he placed her on the ground before taking her hand in his.

  They moved on the rocky path beside the river until they reached a gate. Robin could see Liz’s blonde curls bouncing around as she paced in front of the gate.

  “Liz?” Arthur whispered in the darkness.

  The pacing stopped. Robin’s green-eyed chambermaid turned to stare into the tunnel.

  “If that’s Arthur and Robin, I have to say, you two are slower than snails. The bell’s about to ring.”

  Arthur grabbed the key from his belt loop and unlocked the gate. Immediately, Liz pulled Robin into a hug and tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear.

  A
rthur nodded towards Robin. “This one never makes anything easy.”

  She snatched the pouch from him.

  Liz smirked. “We make it a point not to.”

  The young women giggled while Arthur shook his head.

  “All right,” he said amongst the chatter. “Listen, you two. Hike to the highest hilltop and wait for the signal. If you see a flame in the highest bell tower— ”

  “When we see the flame,” Robin corrected him.

  “If you see the flame,” he said, pointing his gaze directly at her, “wait for me and my men at the hilltop. We will come and escort you back to the castle. Try and stay hidden until then, yes?”

  They nodded.

  Arthur spoke again though he was slow to let the words fall from his lips. “And if the flame is not lit by three-quarters past the hour, then…”

  His gaze fell on Robin. She reached for him, but Liz intercepted her arm and looked into her eyes.

  “We will be fine, my lady,” she said.

  She turned to Arthur. “More than fine, my lord. If we do not see the flames by three-quarters past, I will make sure Robin and I head north, going around the woods, not through as specified, to King Herald’s castle. I have packed provisions.”

  Arthur cleared his throat and turned his head downward. “Yes. Thank you, Liz. Your hands are the most trustworthy to leave Robin in. Both of you, please, stay safe.”

  A loud echoing ring sounded from the castle. Robin looked up to the bell tower into the starry night sky.

  Not one cloud. That must be a good sign.

  “It’s time.” The words had come from Arthur.

  Robin turned back to him and smiled. “Short, blonde hair just above the brows. Blue eyes like the seas of the east.”

  He shook his head and clasped her face in his hands. “Hair as black as a raven’s feather, eyes as icy as the northern castle, small pink lips and a nose as flat as a cat’s.”

  She pinched him. He still pulled her to him and their lips melted into one another.

  Arthur was so warm, so soft and the smell of the gardens fumed from him like fire from a dragon-- all encompassing. Robin could feel her heart racing and her flesh begin to tingle when--

  “Excuse me.” Liz tapped on Robin’s shoulder. “Love is great, however we do have a plan we should see to, hmm?”

  Arthur’s face was red as a beet. Robin had to cover her mouth to stop from laughing.

  He straightened himself. “Uh…yes. Sorry again, Liz. You’re very right. Wait for the signal and I will ride up to escort you both.” He chanced one last look at Robin, then disappeared into the tunnel.

  “We shall be off then.” Liz tightened her cloak and started for the hilltop.

  Robin followed behind her. She pulled her hood up and widened her strides to stand beside her friend.

  “Are you all right, Robin?”

  She bobbed her head. “Yes. I’m fine. I only want this whole ordeal to be over, so we both can return to our beds and Arthur can stop worrying. He’s good at that, you know?”

  Liz nodded. “Most men are. Only thing is they don’t like to admit it.” She nudged Robin in the side and the friends grinned.

  Robin rested by the hilltop just beyond the road. Liz, like Arthur, thought the cover of trees was a necessary measure in case the king’s plan failed.

  Robin had scoffed at the thought. The plan cannot fail if there is no conspiracy.

  She turned her head to Liz who was behind her braiding her hair.

  “Liz, don’t you think this whole thing is ridiculous?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, picking a flower from the earth and twisting it in with her friend’s dark waves.

  “This claim against Cadfen. He would never betray my uncle,” she said. “I told Arthur the same, but he disagrees. What do you think?”

  There was a slow exhale behind her.

  “It does seem unlikely. But I understand why your uncle would be concerned about you and Morganna’s safety. You are the last descendants of the throne.”

  Robin gave a dry chuckle. “More like she is. I’ve never wanted to be queen. Those desires belong to Morganna alone.”

  The echoing sound of the bell tower moved through the forest. Robin smiled. She turned to Liz.

  “Now Arthur will see I am right.” She leaned forward, then crawled to the edge of the road where the castle was in view.

  “Stay still, Robin. I’m not done with your hair.”

  “I’m sorry, Liz. I want to see the flames, so we can be done with this night.”

  She watched the highest bell tower. Within minutes, a flame burst to life and delight spread across Robin’s face.

  “You see?” she said, turning back to look at her friend. “My uncle and Arthur were wrong. Cadfen is a good man.” She directed her eyes back to the bell tower, a smug smile on her face as the flame grew brighter and brighter until the whole tower was ablaze.

  Robin’s eyes filled with twirling oranges and reds that spread from the tower onto the castle roof, turning her home into a maze of the colors.

  Her eyes burned yet Robin could not look away.

  “Something’s wrong,” she whispered.

  She reached behind her. “Liz,” she said, spinning around, “something’s— ”

  Her breath caught in her throat as the scream sought to erupt from her.

  It was an odd feeling--the warmth of her blood and the cold of the dagger plunged in her thigh. But where had the dagger come from?

  She turned to Liz. Her beautiful lady-in-waiting was smiling.

  “Liz,” Robin breathed, “something…something…”

  “Yes, something is wrong, my lady. The fact King Cadfen isn’t willing to kill you disturbs me, as well.” She gripped the dagger in Robin’s thigh and twisted. Back and forth she moved the dagger, digging deeper into Robin’s flesh, turning the pale white a disturbing red.

  Robin stared as Liz deepened the cut and blood trickled down her leg. She held shaky hands above the wound as if she was attempting to keep the pain from spreading. But it refused and when Liz twisted at just the right angle, moans of pain hitched in Robin’s throat, until she swore she could feel the knife scraping against bone. And then she cried out into the night, her entire body quivering as blood and agony rolled from her gash.

  Finally, Liz pulled the dagger out. Robin took in a sharp breath. She glanced from Liz to the dagger. This was her chance. She couldn’t wait.

  Robin gritted her teeth, trying to force the pain into a normal sensation, before jumping to her feet and moving to the road. With only two steps taken she was again on the ground.

  Liz leaned over her and showed Robin’s hair wrapped in her fist.

  “You’re not going anywhere, my lady. King Cadfen’s men should be here shortly.”

  “Traitor!” Robin spat, steeling the trembles in her voice.

  Liz shook her head. “You would be doing the same if our positions were reversed.”

  She tugged Robin by her hair and pulled her so she leaned against a tree with one shoulder popped up in the air and the other slammed at an angle into the ground.

  Liz sighed. “Won’t be long now.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” Robin said through clenched teeth. Her eyes burned and she wasn’t sure if it was from the pain of Liz’s betrayal or the physical assault.

  She attempted to turn completely to look Liz in the eyes. As soon as she moved, Liz pulled her the other direction.

  “You can let me go,” Robin breathed, watching with horror as blood continued to pour from her thigh. “Just let me go.”

  The blood was coming so quickly it had even started to stain her thick, purple cloak. She moved her hand to feel the spot, unable to believe all of it was really spilling from her. But when Robin placed her hand down she felt the cool of metal instead.

  Deep breath.

  “Say I escaped or something,” she begged.

  “I can’t,” Liz stated, her voice devoid of tone. “This is the only way. Struggle all you want.”

  “No, thank you.”

  “What?” Liz moved her gaze down to her prisoner.

  In one smooth motion, Robin slashed through her own hair and leapt for the road. The pain in her thigh took her down. The lady-in-waiting leapt onto Robin and begin to drag her back into the woods. Robin moved to lay on her back, so, they were facing one another. For a moment, gazing into Liz’s eyes, she hesitated. That meadow green made the whole moment surreal.