Over the village of Uryleth.
"Steady, Aithusa!"
Merlin grabbed on to her neck as the harsh winds buffeted him. The clarity of the sky was punctuated by a pale moon, whose light would have revealed to anyone on the ground a picturesque sight of a young sorcerer riding on the back of a white dragon. That is, if they weren't cloaked by a shielding spell.
Aithusa banked sharply to the right, nearly knocking the young sorcerer off.
"Calm yourself, Aithusa."
The winds are poor this early in the morning. I must follow strong air currents to keep us afloat. My wings...
"I'm sorry, I really am, but you know we can't slow down now. There is only one person I know who may be able to help us. He lives close to the West Village and and could be the key we need to get into the Caves."
You need permission. Did King Arthur receive it?
"I'm not sure. Arthur never told me and I couldn't hear his conversation with the guard, but my guess is he didn't. Time is running out and something is telling me Halcyin won't be wasting anytime finding the secrets of Angharad."
He and the Queen will be most displeased once they learn of your disappearance.
"I left a note with Katerina. She will tell them that I've gone to visit my sick mother in Ealdor."
How are you certain this will work? King Arthur will wonder why you didn't tell him first before leaving. Especially concerning the Anna and Halcyin situation. He will think it would have been unwise, not to mention odd, for you to leave in such worrisome times. He will be suspicious.
Merlin laughed.
"You give him too much credit, Aithusa. I know Arthur. For more than five years, I worked as his manservant, and it was Queen Guinevere who found out I had magic."
In the royal sleeping chambers.
"Guinevere, come here."
The Queen had been sitting in front of her boudoir, lost in thought. She got up and joined the King in Julian's room.
"What is it?" he asked her. "What is troubling you?"
She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Oh Guinevere, tell me. Let me help you. Whatever it is, I'm sure we an work through it."
"Arthur," she whispered, as she sniffed and tears began to fall down her face. "I don't think we can."
Julian had been watching his parents from his crib and sensing Guinevere's sadness, he began to cry.
Arthur went to his son and carried him in his arms.
"Shhhh...that's enough of that, Julian. There, there. Everything is alright."
Arthur wiped the tears from his son's cheek as Julian calmed down.
He put him down in his bed, and walked over to the Queen, wrapped his hands around her, and held her.
"When you first told me of what Halcyin had done to Anna...I know my reaction might have shocked you."
"Yes, I...I thought you took it rather too well."
"There's a reason for that Arthur."
With her head on Arthur's shoulder, she struggled to get her words out.
"And what is that reason, love?"
"I've known about Halcyin's temper for some time. Whenever Anna came to visit on her own, she would tell me about him. At first, I didn't believe her. My half-brother is not like Elyan - this I know. But I never believed that he would be so cruel. Even going as far as to lay his hands on her. He was always so angry when he was younger. That's one of the reason's he never stayed with Thomas and I. He hated his own history; the way he came into the world. He didn't want to be known as the 'blacksmith's bastard' so he stayed with his mother, Lady Clarine. He did this to rid himself of the shameful truth of his past. He is so aware of how other people perceive him."
Arthur was quiet.
"Anna also told me about how his temper wasn't so bad in the beginning, but became worse after the birth of each of her children. And this last time, she couldn't handle it."
"If you knew the truth Guinevere, why didn't you tell me?"
She raised up her head and looked at him.
"Because I know you Arthur Pendragon. If I told you, you would have make a scene. For all I know, you would have ordered Halcyin's death. No, I couldn't have Arthur. I had to keep it a secret to protect Anna. You know how it is in this castle. If one person knows, the whole of Camelot will know in a few days. People talk. If Halcyin even had an inkling that anyone knew what was happening behind closed doors...I shudder to think about it. Besides, honestly, tell me what you would have done?"
"I would have asked her to stay with us. I would have made an excuse, anything for her to get away from him."
"For how long? You cannot keep a man away from his wife. Especially a man like Halcyin. Even you, King Arthur, do not possess that kind of power."
"Then I would have used magic."
"Halcyin is not a fool. He would have found out soon enough. He keeps a sorcerer at hand, you know."
"I do. But also know how powerful Merlin is."
"I don't doubt his power. But my half-brother has a tendency to be one step ahead. I don't know how he does it, but...if I had known it would escalate to this..."
He let go of her as she made her way to the bed.
"His personality often changes," she said.
"It changes? What do you mean? He's a monster...and a power hungry one at that. People like that don't change." He was thinking of his father.
"Yes, but Anna told me that oftentimes he would act like a proper husband - loving, compassionate. But then other times, he would act like a monster, like you said. The thing is, I think she still loves him. Deeply."
"Then she is mad."
"I thought so too. But then she has given him two*** wonderful children. She loves them so much. And when she looks at them, she sees a part of him. You do remember them, don't you? She told me that they are the ones giving her the will to live. Isn't that horrible? Damn it, Arthur, what will we do?"
There was a knock at the chamber doors.
"Come in," Arthur ordered.
Katerina walked in and curtsied.
"Your highnesses. I am so sorry to interrupt, but I have a note for you."
"From whom?," asked Arthur, warily.
"Merlin. He says that his mother has taken ill and he's gone to visit her in Ealdor."
"Poor Hunith. I wonder if its serious," said Guinevere.
"It must be serious for him to abandon Camelot at this point in time. Thankfully for him, he is no longer my manservant. Thank you, Katerina. You may leave."
"Thank you, my Lord," Katerina replied, as she curtsied and walked out, closing the door behind her.
"What do we do now?," asked Guinevere.
"If there's a chance we can capture the man Halcyin left behind, we may have a shot. He will undoubtedly know of Halcyin's plans."
"Do you have an idea where he could be? You've sent the guards through the whole castle. They've looked in every nook and cranny. If he were here, we would have found him by now."
"So the only place left to hide would've be the forest."
"The question is, which one? And where do we even start?"
"We start the way we always do. I'll have the men on scout in each direction, beginning with the Black Forest. That seems like the obvious hiding spot, but that may be what Halcyin wants us to think. I'll also put sentries in the White Forest, as well as the Forest of Nimueh."
"What do you think he's looking for? Halcyin's man?"
"I have no idea. But I will soon enough."
"And Gwaine, how is he? I spoke to him last night. He still seems very shaken up from what happened."
"I've relieved him of his duties for the time being. He spends each day with his sister, bringing her her meals to her room and that sort of thing. It was the least I could do."
"This is so very kind of you Arthur."
"I don't do it out of kindness, Guinevere. She is a guest and a friend of Camelot. Therefore, I am obliged to aid her as much as I can. She is also an extension of you. You two have been friends for a very long time. I couldn't live with myself if anything else happened."
There was another knock at the door.
"Enter," said Arthur.
Sir Leon and Sir Elyan walked in.
"Elyan!" Guinevere ran over to embrace her brother.
"Gwen! How is my lovely sister doing?"
"As well as I can be. I had almost lost faith of your returning back to Camelot. Thank the gods!"
"I can understand. Times have gotten stranger, haven't they? It reminds me of the stories of the Old Religion," responded Elyan.
"Then you've heard?"
"I have. The whole town is buzzing with it. It's interesting. Many don't believe that Halcyin could be capable of such a thing. There are those who still associate his name with greatness and valor."
"And why shouldn't they? That's the only side of him they've been privy to. How was the journey to Uryleth?"
"Fruitful, Gwen. Very fruitful. I think you'll be pleased."
"What exactly were you looking for Elyan? Guinevere wouldn't tell me why you journeyed to Uryleth," inquired Arthur.
"With good reason, my Lord. And not what, but who."
"Where is he, Elyan?," asked Guinevere, some trepidation in her voice.
"We put him in the East Library. He's waiting for you, Gwen."
Arthur turned to Guinevere.
"Why is everyone talking in riddles? Who is in the East Library?"
Guinevere spoke first.
"Lady Clarine's son."
Arthur's eyes widened.
"Her son? Lady Clarine only had one son - Halcyin."
"The gentleman in the library says otherwise. And he has proof," responded Leon.
The next chapter is on its way. Happy New Years and your comments are always welcome.