Priestess, Sister, Lover Witch

Chapter 1

Blood dripped from the bed sheets, crimson already from the past hours of agony, onto the cracked stone floor. The hot stench of the blood mingled with sweat hung, sickeningly, in the small room. But it was all over now. The woman lay back, exhausted, onto the pillow behind her, pushing her dark hair off her sweating forehead with a shaking arm, as she did so. As she slid into a fatigued sleep, the effort of her work stared at her from the bloody sheets, the dim candlelight illuminating large dark eyes, the only thing visible.

Gaius was stood next to her when she awoke the following morning, sunlight bursting through the open window, half blinding her as she opened her eyes wearily. When she did, she noticed the bundle in Gaius' arms.

'You did well, Lady Vivian.' He smiled warmly. 'A fairly easy birth, I think.'

'Easy?' Lady Vivian asked groggily, her head spinning and vision blurred. 'Any water available, Gaius?'

'Of course.' He shook his head confusingly, looking around, before down at the bundle. Gently, he asked, 'Would you like to hold her while I fetch it?'

'Her?' Vivian's eyes widened as she sat up, taking the bundle from Gaius' arms. She looked down at the baby, her baby, lying in the sheets. Large, chestnut eyes, the perfect rosebud mouth. She couldn't prevent a sudden wave of love hitting her as she admired her daughter. 'She's beautiful.'

Gaius turned around from his counter when he heard this, a look of pride in his eyes for the baby he himself delivered, the first in almost ten years. 'You must name her, Vivian.'

He could see her forehead crinkle in thought, her mouth slightly open in concentration before she whispered, gently, as if only to the baby in her arms. 'Morgause.'

'Morgause?' Gaius asked suddenly as he handed Vivian her water, taking the baby from her carefully.

'Yes.'

'That's a Druid name, surely? Dangerous at a time like this?'

They both stopped silent at Gaius' mention of Uther's ways. The Great Purge, the hunting and murder of any possessing magic, the Druids the first to be targeted.

Vivian felt herself stammer slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. 'You must understand, Gaius, why I'm here. I admire you, I do, but I would never come this far to have this baby if there wasn't...'

'Another reason?' Gaius' eyebrows raised inquisitively.

'She's not Gorlois' child,' Vivian admitted, feeling a tear begin to slip down her cheek as she looked up at Morgause nestled in Gaius' arms. 'You don't know how lonely it is, to be newly married and all he can do is fight Uther's wars for him!' She was almost sobbing now. 'And he was kind, he spoke to me softly, gently, he understood me. And he was so handsome, golden hair, so different to Gorlois...'

'Who?'

'Morgause's father.' Vivian bit her lip in an attempt to control herself. 'He was a Druid, Gaius! He possessed magic, I know. So when I found out I was pregnant, I had to come to you, I couldn't risk it at home, because...' She looked up again, straight into Gaius' face. 'Morgause will possess magic, I'm sure of it, and I can't risk Uther finding her. Which is why I came at the dead of night, alone. He can't find her, Gaius!'

'What are you saying, Vivian?' Gaius asked, his heart pounding at the almost treasonous talk. She held her arms out and he placed Morgause in them, as if desperate to rid himself any involvement with the baby.

'You must give her to the High Priestesses of the Triple Goddess, that was what the Druid said to me. They will care for her, keep her away from the Great Purge, keep her away from Uther,' Vivian instructed slowly, almost silently. 'Please, Gaius, please.'

'Vivian, what you're asking from me...' Gaius shook his head, his white hair almost stuck to his neck in a petrified sweat. 'This is treason. I would be betraying my King, as would you...'

'But you too know the punishment she would face, you know maybe more than anyone,' Vivian pleaded, before glancing into Morgause's eyes, her trusting eyes. 'Uther would not spare her, just because she's so young. He is a great man, but I can't let him hurt her, Gaius.' Vivian looked deeply at him before shrugging. 'Besides, how much damage can she do? She will never be important surely, she will be safe.'

It was dark but cloudless, a full moon hung over Camelot's walls like a giant eye, watching over everything in the city. Yet it did not see the lone hooded figure sneaking out the back gate of the citadel, a bundle in his arms, and head towards the woods outside the castle, shadowed by the tall, dark trees.

'You came, Gaius.'

He shook off his brown hood to get a better look at the woman before him.
Tall, slim, a silver cloak wrapped delicately around her. She was old, her face lined with her life, but attractive still. Snowy hair, twisted into a bun, sat atop her head while a single ruby jewel sat centre of her forehead, the glimmering silver chain twisted round her hair like a snake. Gaius knew he had found the right woman.

'I had to, my Lady, I have little choice...'

'You needn't, Gaius, I know why you are here.' The woman smiled warmly, melting Gaius' defences slightly. 'I am the High Priestess of the Triple Goddess, there is little you can hide from me.' Gaius himself gave a small chuckle at this, he had forgotten what being around others of the Old Religion felt like. The Priestess held out her arms. 'May I see her?'

Gaius passed Morgause over carefully and watched the Priestess give a warm smile as she held her closely. 'She is a beautiful baby, she will grow to be a beautiful woman one day.'

Gaius nodded solemnly. 'All that matters is that she will be safe, for Lady Vivian.'

'It will be you that can keep her that way, Gaius. Only you can keep her truly safe,' she said slowly, yet a threatening gleam seemed to illuminate her pale eyes. 'You must swear an oath to never reveal this to anyone. Breaking this will put us all in danger: you, me, even Morgause will not be spared from Uther's wrath should this be discovered.' She saw Gaius' hesitant face. 'Swear to this, Gaius, it is the only way.'

Gaius felt himself take a deep breath, he looked around the deserted clearing, the breeze cold against his shaking hands. 'I swear,' Gaius promised quietly. 'But you must promise she will be safe, that you will protect her.'

'She will be the safest she can be in this Kingdom,' The Priestess reassured. 'And we will protect her, you need not worry. But thank you, Gaius, you do not need to let this matter trifle you any further. Please.' She held out a hand, a bracelet in its grasp. 'Give this to the Lady Vivian.'

Gaius took it, examining the intricate workmanship in the limited light. 'What is it?'

'Just a gift, something to help with the pain.'

She turned, still nursing the baby in her arms, the sleeves of her silver cloak providing warmth in the cold night air. Moonlight illuminated her departing figure, her shadow long on the forest floor, when Gaius cried, 'Wait! You must promise me I will not regret this. She has no great destiny, surely?'

In the pale light, Gaius saw her turn slightly, the shadow of a smile passing across her lips. 'One day, Morgause will bring the mighty Uther to his knees. I hope we both live to see that day.'

And with fear gripping his heart and an icy shiver down his spine, Gaius watched her disappear into the night.