Hello lovely readers that decided it was worth it to check out this story, I thank each and every one of you.
Firstly a brief explanation: This story is finished... but it isn't. I have only seven chapters done and that's all there will be for now unless I get an inspiration to write more, but it's complete enough as it is, so I'm posting it anyway but leaving it as a WIP.
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin nor anything you may recognize (and probably don't own a few things you don't recognize too)
(this will be the only disclaimer in this story)
Happy reading, hope you like it :)
"How is she?" The dark haired man stood by the door, glancing at the blonde woman sitting on the bed, the newborn in her arms.
"I fear the worst" The physician mutters, subsequently walking away from the door "Sire, I believe the Queen could benefit of some rest"
"Nonsense" The weak voice of the mother carried to their ears "I can rest when I no longer breathe"
"Do not speak of such things, my love" The king approaches the bed cautiously
"I know what you did, my darling" She smiles up at him kindly "And I will gladly pay the price for my child to see the world by your side"
"You do not know of what you speak, you are not to die" The forceful voice of the king makes the baby stir in her arms
"It is my time" Her face was paler by the second "Make me a promise"
"Ygraine…"
"Please, indulge me at least"
"Very well" He relents
"You will not blame yourself for what is to come, and you are to love your child – our child, with all your heart"
"You are not going to die, I forbid you" He takes hold of her hand and pales at the coldness of it.
"The goddess has granted me more time than I could ask for, and I am grateful" She smiles again, knowingly "Please, promise me"
"You will not –"
"My king" She blinks, her eyes feeling heavy "Do not deny me my dying wish"
"You are NOT dying!" He places his hands on each side of her face, forcing her to look at him.
"I love you" She closes her eyes, leaning more heavily against the pillows. Her arms lose their strength and the small bundle of a baby leans away from her body, starting to cry for the loss of the embrace.
"YGRAINE!" He shakes her body, and a maidservant hurries to take the baby from its precarious position on the late queen's lap. Her eyes are not the only ones clouded with tears.
"Uther…" The man that previously watched from the door enters the room, standing behind the distressed king and placing a hand on his shoulder.
Tears streamed freely from the king's eyes, making the heartbreaking moment even more intimate. He could not find it in him to care, for only his most trusted were in that room.
"I am sorry Sire, she is dead" The physician assured after hesitantly checking the body.
"She cannot be dead" It is merely a whisper, but in the silence of the room it might as well have been a shout.
"My friend…" The dark haired man tries again, prying the king's hands away from his wife's body, not failing to notice how they trembled in despair.
"She cannot…no…please no…" The murmurs muffled as the king embraces his friend, lost in his grief.
The maidservant rocks the baby in her arms, tear tracks in her face showing her care for her queen, but nothing else betrayed her professionalism, as this was not her time to grief. She would have time, once she had to return to her duties, but now it was not within her rights to mourn the loss of a beloved – dare she say – friend, not when her king had lost much more.
The king had not only lost his wife, but his one love and, in a way, his heart. This brought sadness as much as worry to their hearts, for no one wished to imagine Uther without a heart. The mere thought was unimaginable as much as fearsome, and they could only pray it never came to be.
The friendly embrace was broken and they soon saw why: the once vulnerable blue eyes now carried a new hardness to them as the king pulled away, sidestepping his friend to take his wife's hand.
"I promise," He said, much too late but with no less meaning "It was not my fault, my love, nor yours" He glances at the baby sleeping harmlessly on the maidservant's arms "It was magic"
And so Ygraine dies... and yes, in this fic she knew the consequences, Uther wasn't the only one that could talk to Nimueh after all.
Well, what are you waiting for? Onto the next chapter...