Uther stood, his large fists against the table as he observed the dry sheets of parchment laid out before him. His knights sat watching him patiently as the awaited the king's order. Suddenly, the wooden doors creaked open. Everyone turned to look at the intruder, the King had after all demanded that no one be let in. Since Arthur had been sent out on patrol, most of his closest friends knew it could not be the Prince.
Silence swept over the room like a deadly plague, Uther stood properly and observed the man at the doors. The man was clothed in armor, his helmet un-removed from his head. He could not have been more certain that he knew him. Still, as the stranger strutted over to him with wide grin slapped over his face, Uther watched in silence.
"Hello Uncle." All the knights looked upon the great warrior as he revealed his face. Their eyes widened in shock and confusion, this stranger had the face of their prince. And while they appeared the same, Uther's nephew bore the eyes of kind secretive man. His movements where less abrupt than Arthur's and his voice reflected his educated mind, however, his hair was not as properly made as Arthur's. It was long and dark like the bruises which masked the pale skin on his neck.
"Henry?" Uther reclined into his chair, leaning into his fist as he observed the boy.
"It's been long since we've last spoken. I was five then, wasn't I?" He set his heavy helmet on the table and removed the enormous sword from its place against his back. Seeing the knights rise and touch their swords he calmly set it down against the brick pillar beside him.
"Why have you returned to Camelot?" Uthur urged, he's sent the teen away so that Arthur would not discover the truth about his cousin.
"I was ridding in my town, when a foreigner approached me and called me Arthur." He sat in Arthur's seat, keeping not of the glares he received from the others. "They asked how my hair grew so long and dark with in a week. Then, asked if my father had banished me for working with a sorcerer who made it that way for me." He set his muddy shoes on the table leaning into the large furbished chair. "Then they asked why the Prince of Camelot was in that town."
Uther shifted his weight in his chair and watched the doors hoping Arthur would not arrive soon. Removing his feet from the table, Henry leaned forward, placing his crossed arms on the table before him.
"Then I remembered, My dear uncle and cousin." Henry spit, his words filled with disdain. "I came to visit, after all you didn't think I'd let an immature Prince take my place as the future king did you?"
"It is not your throne." Uther raised his voice slightly. Henry stood angrily staring at his Uncle.
"It wasn't your throne either! Remember Uncle? It was mine. But a toddler could not very well rule a kingdom." Panting angrily Henry pointed a finger at Uther, "You made a promise to my dead father! One you can neither deny nor ignore. You told him as he died that when I came of age you would give me what was rightfully mine." He walked looking around at the walls.
"Your father knew I would not keep that promise." Uther attempted to defend himself from the heated Henry.
Turning to him he replied, "Obviously he trusted you to keep his dying wish." He put his hands halfway up, "This kingdom is mine. You thought you could escape this day by sending me away, in reality sending me away made me more fit to be a King."
"Arthur," UTher began.
"Arthur is a selfish man just like you. For the sake of sportsmanship I will give my cousin a chance to prove himself worthy of the throne. In the upcoming tournament, If he defeats me he can have the throne. But, if I defeat him, you give me back my kingdom. Or I'll find a way to take it back. Camelot may have strong walls, but it can not defend you forever." He stormed out of the meeting. He would have his day and Uther would regret having killed all those he cared for. You can not kill all sources of magic, with out forming enemies with their families.
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled down the hall. Merlin sighed then ran towards Arthur, bumping into Henry accidentally.
"Sorry, Arthur's calling me." He ran off with out looking at the stranger who carried the same pale blue eyes as his master.
Henry watched the skinny servant run down the hall. He possessed magic, he could feel it calling to him.
"Emrys" he smirked, and strode off to his room. Tomorrow, he would charm his way into the heart of the servant, then destroy Arthur.