Author's Note:
I'm not completely satisfied with this one, but I'm publishing it anyway. I loved Queen Annis.
Part of the problem might be that the episode was so COMPLETELY AWESOME! What can I say after that? It was everything I've ever imagined the show could be. They took the program to a new high. Nothing was simple. Nobody had all the answers. People were good and bad and trying, just like life. The characters and acting were superb. The writing was gorgeous. Not to mention that it looked beautiful too. So please forgive me for not writing more. Maybe I'm too happy. They say you need to suffer to be a great writer, and S4 E5 did not leave me suffering. I was way too busy cheering.
-Mrs. Bonner
Mornings After - Series 4 Episode 5: His Father's Son
During the long ride home, Queen Annis had time to reflect.
Carleon was dead, and it was a sorrow in her heart, but she recognized that he had at least in part brought his death upon himself. She had warned him that his attempts to take land and plunder in Camelot were unwise, but, as often was the case, he had exercised his prerogative to disregard her advice. He usually had done as he alone wished. This time that proclivity had sadly cost him everything. She knew she would miss him. Their years of marriage had not been a ballad-worthy romance, but he had always treated her well, and she had grown to depend upon him. Perhaps she had loved him in her own way.
She had lost her burning anger. When the young King Arthur had boldly appeared to parlay with her, she had not forseen his contrition. When she had watched him fight, she had been troubled by his youth. She found that the motherly matron in her had no wish to see this surprising young man fall by the sword.
Arthur's desire to resolve things honorably had aroused Annis' compunction at allowing the witch Morgana to interfere in the match. It had been a rash and unwise decision, and she had questioned it even as she watched the combat begin. Cheating carried no pride. Annis ultimately had been relieved at the outcome, and had not cried foul when magic was used so obviously in the young king's defense. It did not make her doubt his integrity. Indeed, for a moment the lad had looked as surprised as anyone else.
Queen Annis had marched to battle with a great host. Who could have foreseen that they would return home without one man lost? No children would grieve over fathers tonight. No wives but she would mourn slain husbands. Perhaps they had witnessed a miracle. It boded well. She prayed that in the days and years to come, as so much would depend upon her admittedly limited wisdom, she might see many more such wonders in the name of peace.