Title: Merlin Take Two
Author: ceecee_05
Rating: T
Characters/Pairings (In this chapter): Uther/Ygraine, Tristan, Agravaine, Nimueh, Eleanor (Gwen's mum)
Spoilers (In this chapter): Season 1,2,3 and 4
Disclaimer: MERLIN's not mine, just the grammatical errors.
Summary: This is the prologue. Just a quick look into Arthur's birth, what led to the purge, and certain relationship shifts with characters.
Author's notes: I'M SO SAD MERLIN'S DONE!:( Cried like a baby at the finale, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! Okay so I know I shouldn't be doing this, but after getting through the entire series of Merlin I feel obligated to recreate it my way. There was so much more I think they should have done, and I'm going to try and do my best to do that in this story. For the most part I'm going to follow the formula of the show, but not everything that happened in the show will ensue, and if it does it might not happen in the same way. Be forewarned that I'm the only one who's edited this. I apologize in advance for any errors!
Prologue
Uther Pendragon paces outside the door to his wife's chambers. They usually share his, but the consensus is that during the birthing process Ygraine is not to be in his rooms. He thinks this practice foolish, but what is he to do. As King he has to follow these ridiculous customs and traditions. Like his father once said, a King cannot be exempt from his own laws.
He can hear Ygraine's cries from his position outside her door, and he rubs his tired eyes with impatience. He still hates that he is not allowed to enter her rooms for the birthing; even if only to let her see that he is with her. She is having his child! It seems absurd that he should not be able to simply stand in the room with her. Propriety be damned! It's not as if he hasn't already seen his wife undressed.
He wishes Gaius were here. The man always has a way of quelling his nerves with sensible conversation, but alas he is out with a woman. Throughout all the years Uther's known Gaius he's never seen him smitten with anybody, so his sudden fondness for this woman is a happy surprise.
Uther's eyes glance over towards Agravaine and Tristan standing a short distance away. They are both just as anxious as he, but deep down he knows that all of them needn't be. In a world with magic what fear is there in childbirth? Ygraine will be fine, and if anything goes wrong Nimueh will be there to help. Yes she'd said a price would have to be paid, but how terrible could it truly be?
"I cannot take anymore of this godsforsaken waiting! She has been in there since noon, and it is nearing evening. "
"Calm yourself Tristan! It is not easy to bear a child. Why I remember Ygraine and I were waiting for nearly a day when mother was having you."
Agravaine laughs at the small pout on Tristan's face.
"Agravaine leave Tristan alone. He is nervous, as we all are, but it is for naught. Ygraine is strong, and Nimueh will help her if anything is to happen."
Uther ignores Tristan's scowl, and Agravaine's furrowed brows. He is well aware that neither of Ygraine's brothers like him very much. He can remember Tristan complaining to her that he didn't smile often enough, but he doesn't care. He smiles plenty for his wife, and that is all that matters to him. For Ygraine he will feel nothing but love for her family. He loves her more than anything else in this world, including himself.
"I fear you have too much faith in your sorceress Uther. Magic is dangerous, and you are much too lenient with your governing of those with such power."
"Oh Tristan why do you always speak such nonsense!"
"I only speak the truth brother. One day you will both come to realize that magic, and those that wield it are evil. Though on that day I fear it will be too late for all of us."
Uther half listens to Tristan's fervent words. He has lived around magic most of his life, and he has never felt that those with it are evil. Yes there have been those with magic that have done wrong, but there have also been those without it who have done the same.
"I think you simply fear what you do not understand young Tristan."
Uther can see what appears to be a smile slowly cover Agravaine's face, but Tristan does not look the least amused.
"Uther, you are a fool if you think that you know enough about magic not to fear it."
Uther is just about make his way over to scold Tristan for his choice in words, but the sudden opening of the door quickly distracts him.
"How is she?"
Uther sees many of the ladies that were helping with the birthing quickly leave the room with bloodied towels in their arms and solemn faces, but he convinces himself that it is nothing serious.
"What of the child?"
Uther soon hears the cries of a babe from within the room, and his heart warms at the sound. They did it! After fearing that they would never have a child they finally have their heir. However, the smile swiftly leaves his face at the look on Eleanor's face. The brown skinned woman before him has been his wife's lady in waiting for nearly three years now, and he knows that she and Ygraine are rather fond of each other, but the occasion should be marked with tears of joy, yet Eleanor's look anything but happy.
"What is the matter Eleanor? How is Ygraine?"
Uther watches the young woman as tears continue to fall from her eyes. She opens her mouth slowly as if to speak, but no words come out. He can feel Tristan and Agravaine close behind him, but neither of the men says a word. Uther can feel his heart pounding in his chest, but he knows it cannot be what he thinks it is.
"She is dead Sire."
Uther's eyes land on Nimueh now only a few steps behind Eleanor. She does not seem surprised or distraught by the news, and it angers him.
"What do you mean she's dead? Why did you not try to save her? You were meant to keep her safe!"
Uther removes his sword from his scabbard and aims it right in front of Nimueh's heart. Ygraine cannot be dead. She…she would not leave him. She promised to love him until her last breath, and that was meant to be longer than just three short years of marriage! By the Gods she's only nineteen summers!
From the corner of his eye he can see Agravaine slowly walk into Ygraine's chambers with Eleanor close behind, and he wants to follow them, to just hold his wife in his arms once again, but he needs answers first. Why did Nimueh not save her? Her magic is powerful! She should have been able to save Ygraine!
"I told you a price would have to be paid, but you did not care Uther. For your son to live, Ygraine had to die."
Tears are now streaming down his face, and his sword arm lowers under his distress. No, that was not meant to happen! He had only wanted to ensure Camelot had a legitimate heir. He'd told no one that he'd fathered Vivienne's youngest daughter besides Gaius and Ygraine. She had felt betrayed, but eventually Ygraine forgave him, and in turn he had promised her that he would never be so weak again. Since then he's been trying to give her a child of her own, but they just hadn't been able to conceive. He'd thought that her getting pregnant through Nimueh's magic was a blessing, but it was a curse!
"You killed my sister!"
Uther turns behind him, and through his tears can see Tristan's sword raised and posed to attack. He isn't prepared for the suddenness of the blow making its way towards him, but Nimueh is. She throws Tristan across the corridor as if it's nothing, and it probably was for her.
"I want to take it back."
"Uther…"
"I want to give the child's life in return for hers."
"Uther it does not work like that. This sort of magic is woven deep into the…"
"I DON'T CARE! JUST BRING HER BACK! I DON'T CARE WHO HAS TO DIE AS LONG AS SHE COMES BACK!"
Uther can hear the guards running to his side, but he can pretend no longer, and swiftly crumbles to his knees. He sobs for the cost of what he's gained. Ygraine is…was one of the kindest women he had ever met. She had loved him, and not the crown atop his head. Not many arranged marriages end in love, but theirs was one that no man could argue wasn't filled with joy and happiness. The one person in the world he would have done anything for, and he killed her.
She didn't even know that he used magic on her. He hadn't wanted to make her feel like less of a woman for having to resort to sorcery.
"Oh my Gods, what have I done?"
"Uther, I'm so sorry."
Uther flinches from her touch, and slowly rises to his feet. The witch tricked him! She had said a price, but not what the price would be. In his desperation she manipulated him into doing something foolish, and now because of her Ygraine is dead!
"Guards! Seize her!"
"Uther!"
"You used enchantments to murder my wife the Queen, and you will be punished."
He watches her face slowly morph into one of rage.
"And what of your role Uther? Are you not to be punished as well?"
Uther's bravado falls for a moment, and before the guards are able to reach her Nimueh vanishes from the corridor. A small part of him is relieved that she's gone and what he's done will not go to trial. What would the people think if they knew?
Uther's breathing is haggard, and he doesn't know what to do. He can still hear the baby's cries, but every scream feels like a stab to his heart. The idea of raising this child without Ygraine doesn't make sense, and there is a very brief moment in his self-loathing where he wishes to just send the child off with his mother, but he quickly sobers. Ygraine would want him to take care of their son, and he will not fail her again.
Uther takes a long breath, and then slowly makes to enter his wife's chambers.
"Sire, what would you have us do with him?"
Uther's hand stills on the door frame, and he calmly looks over his shoulder at Tristan's motionless body resting on the opposite wall. He wants to have him sentenced to death for his treasonous behavior, but because of Ygraine he holds the order to have Tristan placed in the dungeons.
"Clean him up, and then escort him to the border of the city. He will be exiled, and his return to Camelot will be on pain of death. Make sure he knows of this when he awakens. Not get him out of my sight!"
He thought that he would feel guilty for what he'd just done, but he doesn't. He doesn't really feel much of anything at the moment but anger!
His legs carry him towards Ygraine's bed where Agravaine is stood holding her hand, and brushing the sweat from her brow. Her eyes are closed, and what he would not give to see her bright blue eyes one last time.
"Will you also attempt to kill me Agravaine? Must I exile you from Camelot as well?"
The words leave his mouth calmly, and he wonders why he doesn't feel more worried. He observes Ygraine lying in bed. She looks so peaceful, and he hates that inside he too feels like he's died, but feels nothing close to peace.
"No Uther. I doubt my sister would want to see you dead, but I cannot stay here. To look upon you each day…I feel like after a while I would not be able to restrain myself any longer."
"I understand"
He does…He too will not be able to look at his reflection for many moons.
"I will leave after she is buried."
Agravaine gently places Ygraine's hand back at her side, and gives her a chaste kiss on her forehead before swiftly exiting her chambers, and quietly closing the door behind him.
Uther observes Ygraine again, but can't bring himself to touch her. He did this to her, and nothing he does can ever bring her back. Tristan's right. He was a fool not to fear magic and those who practice it. Nimueh has the power to take life, and give it to another. No one should be able to have power like that. Sorcerers are dangerous, and they need to be stopped before other innocent people like Ygraine are murdered.
He can feel a warm hand on his shoulder, and startles at the contact. He had thought he was alone.
"I'm sorry I did not mean to scare you."
Uther turns to Eleanor. She still has tear marks on her face, but she is trying to be strong. When his eyes move down to the bundle in her arms his heart does not feel as cold, but his anger does not diminish. The boy is so tiny, and his eyes are closed in sleep. Uther wishes to bring his hand towards him, but denies himself the small show of affection. He does not hate his son, but he knows the boy will forever be a reminder of what he did, and that knowledge will forever mare their relationship.
"Would you like to hold him Uther?"
Uther's cold eyes rise to Eleanor. She is just a servant, and yet she thinks him weak enough to deserve her pity. He can see it in her eyes. She looks down at him as if she's better than him, and he won't allow such impertinence from servants in his kingdom!
"You will address me with my proper title, or you will not speak to me at all. You are nothing but a servant, and I will not be referred to by name by someone like you. Is that understood?"
He knows she's shocked, but he doesn't care. She's just a servant. Her feelings do not matter.
"Yes Sire"
"Good, now take the boy and go!"
She does not need telling twice. Eleanor quickly makes her way towards the door.
"Wait!"
Uther coolly strides towards her before she is able to open the door, and brings his lips directly to her ear so his words aren't misconstrued.
"If you ever breathe a word of what you heard tonight to anyone I will have you hanged without a seconds thought."
He slowly brings his face from her ear and stares at her. She looks frightened, and he feels stronger just looking at her.
"I promise I will tell no one My Lord…"
"If that boy ever finds out how he was conceived…"
"Arthur will never learn it from me Sire. You have my word!"
Uther's eyebrows knit together in confusion.
"Arthur?"
Uther watches the woman stare at the floor in a desperate attempt to avoid his piercing eyes. Her shoulders are slumped, and it makes her appear weak, weaker than him at least.
"I'm sorry Sire, I shouldn't have assumed, but My Lady had discussed wanting to name the child Arthur if it was a boy. She thought it would be fitting because it sounds so similar to your name."
Uther turns to look back at Ygraine fondly before composing himself again. Arthur…He quite likes the name.
"Well then take Arthur, and make sure he has all he needs. He will be the future King of Camelot one day. I assume you will take good care of him until he no longer requires a nursemaid?"
She looks shocked by his sudden change in demeanor, but he ignores it. Ygraine would have wanted Arthur well looked after, and by the time Uther's finished with this kingdom Arthur will live in a world safe from treacherous sorcerers, and mythical beasts.
"Yes of course Sire! I will raise him with the utmost care, and do my best to make My Lady proud."
"See to it that you do."
Uther doesn't voice it, but she knows she has been dismissed, so Eleanor softly opens and closes the door behind her. He does not need to worry. There will be guards escorting her while she's with Arthur, and they will make sure no harm comes to him.
Uther slowly walks back to Ygraine's side, and collapses onto her bed with her. He encircles her now cold body in his arms, and softly places a kiss to her lips. His tears soon cloud his vision, and he buries his head into her blond curls to muffle the sound from the guards outside. He has already appeared weak once in front of them. He can't afford a second.
Uther's fists clench in anger as he thinks of all that has happened.
She was not meant to die! They were supposed to raise Arthur together and be a family. He failed the only woman he'd ever loved, but he would soon make amends for that.
Hope you guys enjoyed! Next chapter will start off at the beginning of the show, and because I love Arthur so much I think I might follow his character throughtout this story, but I'm not sure yet. If you liked the chapter or are interested in the story please review to tell me because I already have a couple in progress, and there's no point taking the time to update this one if no one wants to read it as much as the others. On that note thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon:)