Uther dropped to his knees, sweeping a four year old Arthur into his arms. His precious precious boy, whom he had so nearly lost, he buried his face into the blonde hair and felt little arms winding around his neck.
Blinking back tears he looked up at the saviour,
"How can I ever repay you?"
The young man, who looked to have just come of age, bowed his head,
"I ask for no physical payment my lord, just a promise"
Uther stiffened slightly, promises where never a good thing, they could get you into deep trouble and be very difficult to keep. Still, he had to thank this man somehow. Curious he replied,
"Go on"
The man smiled very slightly and raised his left arm, palm facing the sky he moved towards Uther. Immediately the guards rushed forwards,
"Let him be" Uther commanded, climbing to his feet. He turned and passed Arthur to the nanny,
"Take him and get him cleaned up, it's been a long week" He waited until his son was safely out of the room before approaching the man,
"What is the nature of this promise?" He asked again,
"Just that you will do me a good deed, should the time ever arise," The man said softly, cocking his head to one side like a dog, his eyes were unnervingly green and Uther swallowed, the hairs on his arms standing on end,
"And how will I know when this time is?"
The man smiled again and stretched out his arm, inked on to the wrist was a small figure and Uther had to lean in close to see it. It was a tiny set of waves, and over them flew a bird.
"You will know Uther Pendragon, " The man said softly, then he drew his hand back into his cloak. Uther stood up straight,
"Then I will do my utmost to keep this promise, you are an ally of this kingdom and forever welcome in these halls. Do you leave today?"
The stranger nodded, satisfied and readjusted his hood,
"I am afraid I must, my lord, I have business in the port of Allimire, on the southern coast, and have much lost time to make up for."
"Then I am greatful for your time, we can offer you a fast horse and provisions to make your journey quicker if you wish?" Secretly Uther was glad the man was not staying, there was something about him that made the King nervous,
"Thank you my lord, that would be most welcome," Then the man bowed once, quickly and turned to leave the room.
"Wait!" Uther called out at the last minute, "What is your name?"
The cloaked visitor gave an odd half turn, not far enough however that Uther could see his face,
"Jonah, my lord," He paused for a second, and when he spoke again his voice was louder, "In the years to come remember the kindness I showed your son, an innocent child with whom I had no griefs, and remember your promise" Then he swept from the room.
Uther stood for a second, gathering his thoughts, when he realised that the council were all still gathered,
"Council dismissed" He bellowed, and the men began to silently move, "And nobody is allowed to talk of this incident" he finished in a quieter, yet somehow more dangerous voice, "Or there will be consequences"
Every member of the council believed him.
Uther Pendragon was woken by the sound of his son and his manservant arguing in the courtyard below his window. Rolling over he tried to block both the sounds and the disturbing dream he had just had. It had been a long time since he thought of the stranger, Jonah, and the promise he had made to him, but he got a strange feeling he would be thinking about it again rather soon.