Arthur glanced at his father, his blue eyes wide with shock, 'Father?'
Genevieve let out a small tsk, 'keeping secrets? Really, your son should know! She would never have lied to him.'
Uther shot up, towering over the woman, 'Never speak of her like that! Especially not to me!'
Genevieve remained calm, safe with her cluster of men. 'Lord Arthur, permit me to tell you what your father will not.'
'NO! I-WILL-NOT-LET-YOU!' The king's voice shook the room; every face looked terrified of him, except for that of Genevieve, which looked upon him with anger. 'Uther, he will find out! You know he will. Would you rather she told him? You know she will! She's here for you, I am sure! He already knows you have hidden bodies, would you rather he made his own assumptions? Or maybe she is after him! He has to know!'
Silence filled the air. A cold silence. Merlin shivered, he was aware of Arthur's confusion as the prince glanced from his father to Genevieve. Then he stood, not in the menacing way his father loomed over the guests, but still. He looked once again at Lancelot, who nodded in reply. 'I wish to know. One way or another I will discover the truth.'
Uther turned to his son, eyes pleading, 'No. Arthur this burden is not one you need.'
'Need it or not, he has it. Now let me tell him.' Genevieve said, her aggressive tone subdued. Uther sat back in his chair, nodding slowly in submission. 'Prince Arthur, allow me to explain. I am Genevieve, sister of the late Igraine Pendragon.' Merlin saw Arthur recoil in shock, 'Your mother died at your birth, this you know, but you do not know why. She was killed by a priestess, one known as Nimueh.' Uther's hand clenched tighter on the chair.
Arthur froze, his fingers shaking, 'Why?'
'Because she is evil, that is all you must know. Now for the part that concerns you more than that. The fact that she has returned. She has used magic to create herself an undead form. It is called a reaper, and is formed by the darkest and oldest magic. She is here for the souls of your people, perhaps yours also, as with them, she can return to this world in human form. We are hunters of such creatures, and we intend to kill this one before it can harm you or any more of your people.' Genevieve looked right into Arthur's eyes, her own features soft.
'But only magic can destroy a reaper. Where do you intend to find such magic?' Gaius' smooth voice came from the doorway as he swept into the hall silently.
Genevieve turned to Gaius, 'We have found one who possesses magic in Camelot.' Merlin stiffened. They were here for him. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak, he could only stand there. It would be a matter of seconds before she told them he was a warlock, and then Uther would have him killed. Gaius glanced at Merlin, his face lined with worry.
'Who?' Uther asked, rage seeping back into his words.
Genevieve whipped round to face the king, 'He is a druid boy. His people call him Mordred.'
'Guards!'
Genevieve chuckled, 'Oh really Uther, you think I would be stupid enough to bring him here? No. He is hidden somewhere safe. These are my knights. You seem to know Lancelot.' She smiled, issuing to the young man. 'These are my other knights, Ironside, Galahad, and Logan.' She said, issuing to each cloaked figure in turn. 'They are here to help me hunt, but I need two things from you. Firstly, I need your permission to find and kill this creature,' Uther nodded his agreement, 'and second, I need your son.'
Uther launched himself up again, 'What for?'
'He is needed to draw the creature out.'
'My son is not bait!' The graying man fumed.
Arthur stepped between them, settling his father back to his chair, 'I want to help.'
The woman retreated triumphantly, grouping close to her four hunters. 'Arthur, you would have made your mother proud. Now we must prepare ourselves for the fight ahead, I suggest you do the same. Good luck Prince Arthur.'
'And you also.' the crown prince replied. Merlin glanced quizzically at them both, hadn't Arthur just found out he had an aunt? Yet the air of formality still remained. Before he could ponder the thought any longer the entire room was disbanding.