Nimue stared at what was shown in her scrying basin aghast. That vile, cheating asshole! After everything, even with him knowing the cost of his choice, to find out that there was never any need in the first place.
Misogynistic pig of a man.
She glanced over at her apprentice, who looked hesitant and cautious, Nimue snorted, as if she was the one they ought to fear.
No. This was something she could not allow to go unanswered.
When Uther had come to her to plead for aid to conceive an heir of his own bloodline Nimue had agreed, wishing to help her friend. The nobles had been increasingly cutting and unkind towards Igraine in her failure to produce one to ensure their future, and that was not a life she would wish upon anyone.
That Uther would do so when he had already begotten a child never crossed her mind. Naive, she told herself.
The High Priestess schooled her expression and turned to smile at young Morgause.
"Come, child. Let me show you something new. It will be beyond you for many years still, but you can learn the steps." The girl followed behind her eagerly, Nimue's demonstrations were always fascinating.
Uther stood in the council room, empty now of any advisors and a cold wind blew open the windows and doors, a High Priestess he knew far too well striding towards him, fury in every line of her body. Knowing the futility his hand still went to his sword hilt.
"Don't bother, Uther. You can't kill what isn't there." His arm dropped, he understood. She was appearing to him from a place of safety, the coward.
Nimue raised an eyebrow at his clear thought. What was it with sorcerers and unnatural brows? He should add that to his list of Suspicious Things.
"You lying, repugnant, adulterous scumbag! How dare you? You told me there was no-one. You lied. A woman died, my friend died, because you were too selfish and craven to acknowledge a daughter. There was already a Pendragon blood heir before you ever sought me at the Isle. Do you honestly think that refusing to acknowledge her will work, getting Gaius to lie again to everyone." Something must have shown on his face then, was that a flicker of guilt she saw? "Oh! Oh, this is rich. He doesn't know, does he? You didn't tell even him of her existence! This isn't over Uther, you have gifted your kingdom not with a legitimate heir, but with your bastards, you have promised a full civil war, beyond anything you ever dreamed your genocide would bring."
Uther wanted to demand an explanation, how could she possibly know, but of course she knew, magic would always betray him. Nothing good could ever come of it.
Vivian had accepted his bribe to keep the girl-child away from court, and Gorlois his threats of consequences should the truth be told- of course the man knew basic maths, no woman had a 13 month pregnancy. The child couldn't possibly be his, but a king's bastard was a weapon, and in the end Uther had regrettably had to dispose of his friend.
"She will rise against her half-brother, your rejection and hatred guarantee it, and I will ensure she learns her heritage Uther, you may be sure of that. I know now how deep this corruption goes Uther, and I must wonder, is she the only one? Or the only one that you know of?" Nimue smirked darkly as she faded away.
"If fear be your choice Uther, may you feel it's bitter sting as it devours what's left of your soul. I am not the source, you sick halfwit, fear the future you bought with blood, fear the children you ransomed." The space before him was empty and nausea overwhelmed him.
Gaius found him hours later, still in the council room, staring blankly at the fireplace and muttering 'she knows'. He didn't need to ask who 'she' was, there were few indeed who could reduce Camelot's king to this level of incoherence, but he would dearly like to know what it was she knew that had Uther in this state. He sighed. Whenever there was sighting or sound of Nimue, a rise in burnings always followed. He wished simply for that that the woman would stay away.
"Come on. It's late Uther. She isn't here.
"Is it true Gauis, what she said?"
The physician sighed. "I don't know Sire, I wasn't here, Nimue has said many things, and kept many secrets." Not as many as you. He added silently.
Uther nodded and dismissed Gaius, "It's late, bring a sleeping draught to my chambers. I have a feeling I may need it tonight."
On the Isle of the blessed, an exhausted but satisfied High Priestess sat thinking, once her apprentice was sleeping quietly. There was a group of druids she needed to contact rather urgently. Uther might now stop brutalising the women in raids as he had been doing, but he had left another with them a son already. She had not lied to the man, unlike some, it was not her way to deceive without absolute necessity.
Two days later Morgana arrived in the court for her first introduction, he would allow her to remain with her mother until he deemed it time to bring her to live in his household. Vivian knew her silence was worth her life, he didn't doubt she would hold her tongue.
If his children were to compete he would have to force them to an understanding. Twist the truth just enough. He would thwart the witch this time. She was nothing to him. He was the king, and the old religion would never again be accepted in Camelot, he would make certain that his children understood that, and that no exceptions could ever be made. They would be grateful in the end he knew. They all would.
