DISCLAIMER: The story of King Arthur as portrayed in the 2004 Jerry Bruckheimer movie does not belong to me. I don't believe anyone can reasonably take credit for owning the myth, though.

Ow, wow, I cannot believe how much I have neglected this story. Senior year has been beyond insane. The good news is that I will head off to the UK in a month or so to start university – and not just any place in the UK, but to the lovely city of York. I am, as I am sure you can imagine, very excited indeed.

Thank you once again to everyone who reviewed, favored and otherwise encouraged me to write. This one's for you.

The title of this chapter is taken from a Mark Twain quote: "Everyone is like a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody."

Music: Jeff Beal – Octavian & Octavia's Themes (HBO's Rome Soundtrack)

447 AD (20 years before the Battle of Badon Hill)

Igerna of the Artorii was, to most that saw and, indeed, to most that knew her, the very epitome of a virtuous Roman wife. Soft-spoken and humble, she managed her household with an easy grace that many praised and envied. She was that type of lady that mothers encouraged their daughters to be like when they grew up; the type of mistress the servants adored and revered.

But there was more to Igerna than met the eye. Few noticed the odd, out of place calluses on her hands nor the decidedly un-Christian items of worship she kept hidden under her bed. Her pleasant voice hid the power of her words and dresses, veils and ribbons could go a long way in disguising marks on one's body.

In fact, the number of people who knew of the late Commander's wife's true origins were less than half a dozen, and this was a secret that would never be anything other than well kept.

Even her own offspring knew little about the woman. She was the loving but ever-distant mother who had mourned her husband so deeply that for a while, her children had been all but left to themselves. When she did favour them with her attention, however, she was kind to them and would listen to their stories most of the time.

It was the way it had always been and neither Arthur nor Lucia had ever thought it to be anything else.

They stepped into her arms easily, allowing the affectionate gesture and smiling obediently – though not without some genuine pleasure – as the lady kneeled down before them.

"Now," she said, "The clergymen say you have both been very good in your lessons."

The siblings nodded, sensing that this was going in a direction that was decidedly positive for them – especially considering their mother seemed to be unaware of their early morning adventure.

"As a reward, you shall both be allowed to stay up a little longer tonight. We are to entertain some very important guests, you know."

Arthur beamed, excited at the notion of being able to mingle with the grown ups, and such distinguished ones at that! He would have to talk to the Steward and learn what he could, so he could properly address and converse with them; first impressions, as his father had always reminded him, were vital.

Lucia, meanwhile, did not seem to be quite certain if she should be excited or annoyed. Being allowed to stay up late was cause for excitement, no doubt, but the kind of 'important guests' her mother invited were usually so very tedious and they often spoke so verily angrily about a lot of people.

Instead of settling her mind on the issue, she changed the topic.

"Has Morgana written?"

Young though she was, she did not miss the slight darkening of her mother's countenance at the mention of her sister's name. The eldest of Igerna's children, Morgana had been send to a monastery before either Arthur or Lucia had been born. The reasons for her being sent away were another thing the younger siblings had learned not to question.

From where she stood near the still-open door, Aelia answered the young girl's question when her mother did not. "There have been no letters recently, Lucia. I'm sure Morgana is very busy." She smiled reassuringly at the sight of her charge's disappointment before turning an unreadable gaze onto her mistress.

"My lady, if I may take your leave? There are many things that still need to be prepared for tonight."

Igerna looked up, an equally illegible expression on her face, and nodded slowly. "Yes, no doubt. You may go." And with a swish of Aelia's skirt and a creak of the door when Cai closed it, the two were gone, the awkward moment passing as suddenly as it had come.

"Well, children," Igerna said airily, rising and dusting of the folds of her already immaculate gown, "I suppose you had best attend to your studies. I want you both to wear your holiday robes tonight, understood?"

"Yes, mama," the two intoned, straightening their backs unconsciously. A nod, a faint smile and a whispered "Good." was all the farewell they got before Igerna, too, swept out of the room, leaving the siblings alone in the vast, column encircled hallway.

After a moment of silence, Lucia pinched Artorius, causing him to jump. "Ow!" he exclaimed, "Don't do that!" She merely grinned at him, innocence itself with just a hint of mischief lurking at the corners of her mouth. As she expected, his irritation faded within seconds and he slung his arm around her.

"Come on. Let's go see if Cook has something for us before we have to suffer through Oscitans' lectures again."

"Arthur?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember the times when we used to hide behind the statues to see the guests arrive?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Well, do you think mama will mind terribly if we do so again? That way at least we can escape if the guests turn out to be dreadfully boring."

"Lucia!" Arthur laughed, looking at her in mild surprise, "They cannot be that bad."

She nodded vigorously, quite convinced that they would be. Surely Arthur would realize that! "Of course! Don't you remember what they're like? All they talk about is God's will this, God's will that, and wine and fighting and war…"

Unexpectedly, Arthur's arm slid off her shoulders and his gaze became distant. Lucia was instantly concerned – her brother falling into such a somber state was never a good thing in her book. "Arthur?"

He looked at her strangely. "Do you think me boring, sister, when I speak of God and war? Or when Ectorius does, or Cai?"

"No, it's just – I – Arthur, you're not nearly half as bad as they are!"

The elder boy shook his head. "No, I'm not. Not yet, anyway."

Lucia crossed her arms with all the indignation she could muster. "And you never will be! I will tickle you ceaselessly before you do, so help me God." To her relief, Arthur's eyes crinkled into a smile and he pinched her side.

"Ow!"

"Not if I get to you first!" he challenged, setting off at a run before she could swat him in return. Laughing, she set off after him, all thoughts of war and growing up forgotten.

For now.

-o-o-o-o-o-

That evening, Lucia found herself in her room, brushing her hair so one of the maid's could put ribbons in it later. She had already washed herself and put on her most precious gown, a beautiful if stuffy thing that had been a gift from her father just before he died. It was starting to become to short in various places, but it would do for tonight.

Putting down the comb, she ambled over to the window looking out over the courtyard. It was already getting dark and some of the fires and torches had already been lit. Lucia smiled to herself; the visitors that were currently riding towards her home would see the fort at its loveliest.

Utterly at ease, her eyes became unfocused and her mind wandered aimlessly… until it was abruptly, utterly dark and the fires were no longer contained.

Burning! The fort was burning, the villagers fleeing in fright, some throwing water over their thatched roofs, others crying out as they sought for a way out but could not find one – they were trapped – there were men with swords, the naked steel of them shining in the light of the stars she loved so much, silver stained with red –

As the door to her room opened with a bang, Lucia stumbled back from the window and screamed.

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