=== The Sword in the Stone – A Merlin Fan Fiction. ===
Part 1 – Prophecies
The castle was full of crying that night. Half chocked sobs could be heard from behind closed doors and the occasional mournful wail echoed around the corridors. Yet now in the early hours of the morning all that had ceased except for one unique tone of sorrow and longing. The call of a small baby came from within the King's private chambers. After screaming at his servants to leave them both in peace, Uther could finally greave. Yet he always kept his composure, only the glint of the rising sun revealed his tears rolling down the wrinkles that were starting to form on his war worn skin. Yes he would morn but he would do it with a King's dignity. He didn't have the luxury of the servant kin able to wear his heart on his sleeve. He would not show weakness in the face of such an adversity. However there was no way he could deny the enormity of the tragedy. After giving him his first born son, his beloved wife had left this world.
Now this child, Uther looked down at him wriggling around his cot incapable of anything except crying hour after hour, a constant reminder of what Uther had lost. The one thing he wanted more than anything in the world was in front of him, his heir to the throne, but he tainted, by magic and misfortune. There was a strong confusion in the man, did he love or loathe, even he had not yet decided.
So wrapped up in his own thoughts, Uther failed to notice the door creak open behind him. It was only when he felt the hand on his shoulder that he realised Gaius was standing behind him. "I am sorry my old friend." Uther placed his hand upon his friends could find no other words apart from "Gaius." He stood and walked to the window overlooking his courtyard as the sun started to rise above the turrets.
"How is the child?" Uther glanced at Gaius, then the cot and back to the courtyard and spoke with his back to his physician. "He is a product of Magic, tainted." Uther spat the words out as if allowing them to linger on his tongue would infect his whole being. "Sire, I wish not to bring this up so soon bu-"
"Then don't" barked Uther cutting Gaius short.
"But Sire, this need be addressed. Events have been set in motion now that will echo throughout the ages. You cannot ignore that forever." There was an uneasy silence left hanging in the room. Then in one sweep the King turned around was inches from Gaius, clenching his fists so tight his fingers bore into his palms. "Yet I can ensure that will not come to pass and I WILL make sure of Gaius do you hear me? No Magic will ever cross the borders of Camelot again; I was an old fool to let it in for my own gain."
Gaius placed his hands together gently and in soft tone tried to reason with the King once more. "With all due respect Sire, this is a Prophecy, they are not to be taken so lightly. They have a bad habit of coming to pass." Putting a finger to his temple the King replied with a question. "Is there anything else Gaius? If not consider yourself dismissed." The wise physician knew to take the hint, bowed and walked towards the door.
"One last thing Sire." Uther sat down raising an angry eyebrow. "No matter how he may of come into this world he is still your son, your only son. If nothing else should matter to you at this time, then this one fact should." With a final bow he bustled out of the room, leaving Uther to gather his thoughts.