Reawakening

Story 3 in the Reforged AU

CHAPTER 20

"Mother? Is that really you? How can this be happening?" Confusion was sliding across Arthur's mind. Leaving him a fog.

"Oh my darling son, I found you!" She smiled serenely at him.

"But I was...I was in a battle." Arthur was having a hard time remembering. His head ached and a faint clapping sound was distracting him. "Wasn't I?"

"I saved you. You're safe here. With me."

"But how?" Arthur was struggling to understand.

"You would have died. There is no way to defeat Elolam. He is far too powerful. I couldn't let you die in vain. I brought you here. To save you. So that you would have a chance to learn the truth." Her skin was luminous. Her eyes so warm. So loving.

"What truth?" Arthur leaned forward to hear her soft voice.

"The Goddess lies. She has always lied. She is no benevolent deity. She is evil." Ygraine's voice was sad. Her words dripping with regret.

"But Merlin. Morgana," he started to sputter. But she interrupted.

"Merlin has been poisoned by Morgana and the Goddess's lies. Surely you can see the truth of this."

The clapping grew louder. Arthur shook his head in denial. "No, Mother. I don't believe it. I've seen for myself that Morgana has changed. She is once again the sister I thought I had lost. You're wrong."

"That witch is no sister to you. She may share your father's blood but she is nothing like you. She has dark powers that no person should hold. You've seen for yourself the evil she wrought. The horrible things she did. She did those things with magic. Your father was right all along. Magic is wrong. Unnatural. It does not belong in the hands of men and women."

Arthur's eyes narrowed at that. "No. Merlin has magic and he is the best man I have ever met. He has saved my life more times than I can even count. His loyalty is unquestionable."

"Is it really?" She asked. "Did he not lie to you for nearly ten years? And what made him suddenly reveal his gifts?"

"Love, actually." Arthur replied. "He revealed them to save Gaius. He sacrificed his secret to save his mentor. Further proof of his nobility."

Ygraine's eyes had tears in them. "Oh my boy you still don't see. Do you? He has used you all along. It is not his fault. No human should be able to wield the power of the Gods. It corrupts and twists them. He only revealed his powers to you after you had come to trust him completely. He preyed upon your goodness."

"What are you saying?" Arthur asked. Something wasn't right but he couldn't tell what. His head felt full of wool. And the relentless clapping was getting louder.

Ygraine shook her head. "Merlin and Morgana have brought you here under false pretenses. They are trying to sacrifice you to their bloodthirsty Goddess. They want to kill everyone in the kingdom that doesn't have magic."

"But what of Elolam?" Arthur asked in a small voice.

Ygraine's smile was beautiful. "He is the one true God. The only way to save your kingdom is to bow at his feet and give yourself to him. Give your kingdom to him. Only he has the power to defeat this Goddess."

"I've never worshipped any God. And my kingdom is healthy and happy." Arthur argued.

"Is it? You've had unending conflict with those that worship that evil Goddess."

"But that was Camelot's fault. Not theirs. We were the aggressors." He was starting to wonder what was happening.

"No my sweet boy. Your father was on a noble crusade to rid the land of evil. You do him a great disservice by throwing away his life's work. He would be so disappointed in you."

Arthur grew angry. "I know. He told me himself. But I don't regret my actions. Camelot belongs to all of her citizens."

"You poor noble thing. So good that you see only goodness in others. If my life hadn't been stolen by vile sorcery I could have protected you better. I blame myself for trusting that witch Nimueh. For not seeing sooner that she was no friend of Camelot. It is too late for me. But not for you! You must give yourself to Elolam to save our kingdom!"

She was so beautiful. She looked like a dream come to life. He was so grateful she had saved him. That she was taking care of him. That she had shown him the truth.

"How do I save Camelot?" He asked. The clapping was getting so loud.

Ygraine looked at him with a small smile. "You need only sit there, my sweet boy. I will do the rest." Gliding across the ruined tower chamber with regal steps, she held out her graceful left hand in entreaty. Her pale blue and white gown floating delicately across the uneven stones of the floor.

Arthur's eyes locked with hers. The exact same shade of blue as his own. Closer she came. Arthur smiled dreamily and found himself holding out his hand to her. Reaching for her.

In the back of his head the clapping sound grew deafening. Shaking his head he tried to clear it. But the clapping grew louder still. Became distinct. He could hear that the sound was actually words, now.

Trap! Trap! Trap! Trap! Trap!

His instincts were screaming at him. Get up! This is a trap! This is not real! GET UP!

His head finally cleared, he looked back up at his mother and had just enough time to raise his sword to deflect the dagger that arced towards his heart.

Leaping to his feet, the king took a defensive posture and looked closely at his mother. "Mother? What are you doing?"

With a shriek of rage, Ygraine rushed towards him again. Dagger extended. Aimed again at his heart.

Arthur deflected the blow and shoved her forcefully across the room. Looked closely at the being in front of him. He wouldn't think of it as his mother any longer. It merely wore her face.

The shade of Ygraine saw the change in him. Saw that he had somehow broken the enthrallment. Her eyes changed then, became red. Her teeth extended into sharp points. Her golden hair faded to white. Spoke with a masculine voice that was ugly coming from her face. "Fool! This could have been so easy. A willing sacrifice! Now we will do this the hard way!"

Arthur held Excalibur in front of him. "Stay back, foul beast! Your plan has been foiled!"

The shade laughed at him. "You think this is my plan? This was merely a convenient way to deprive your army of leadership and gain a willing sacrifice! Do you know how long you've been here? I've held you here for hours! The battle is nearly over! You are defeated!"

Arthur roared with anger and rushed over to the shade. Determined to end this. The being move with shocking speed. Crawling up the walls of the room like a spider and laughing mockingly at the King.

"It was all too easy. Still a little boy missing his mommy. You think yourself fit to rule? You aren't fit to be anything but a sacrifice!"

"You should not have used her in this way. You will die for this." Arthur promised.

"Do you think a sword can kill a shade? This body is dead! You can do nothing!"

Skittering further up the wall, the shade spit green ichor at Arthur. He nimbly dodged the attack, noting that the stone where the venom had landed was bubbling and dissolving.

The battle began in earnest. With the shade spewing ichor from high up on the walls and Arthur avoiding the venom while looking for a way to reach the shade. He noticed that it always retreated from where he dodged. Looking at the room he saw an ancient table pushed up against one of the walls. Eyes glittering with the song of battle, he slowly and methodically herded the shade towards that wall. Waiting until the foul thing was poised above the wall exactly where he wanted it.

Arthur gave a feral smile as he closed the gap. Using the table as a springboard, he leapt into the air. Pouncing on the shade like a wolf. Growling, he thrust Excalibur into the thing's heart.

The shade fell from the wall and screamed in disbelief and rage. Writhing on the floor.

Arthur leaned forward and whispered in a dangerously calm voice. "This is no normal sword, Elolam. You underestimate what can be created when magic is used for good. For instance, enchanted swords that can kill even the undead."

"Fool. You matter not. And you have been adequately distracted. Witness the destruction of those you love."

The malevolent presence faded from the shade. Returning the appearance to his mother's. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the King. "Arthur," she breathed. "Thank you."

Nerveless fingers dropped Excalibur to the floor with a clatter. Tears fell from Arthur's eyes and he collapsed on his knees by her side. This was really her. Dying again. And this time it was his own blade that had done the damage. "Mother! I'm so sorry! Come back!" His voice broke. "Please don't leave me again!"

One delicate hand raised to caress his cheek. Her skin was paper like and so cold. "I never left you, my dear boy. And now you've saved my soul. I'm so proud of you."

"Mother! I love you!" He cried raggedly. Hugging her to his chest and rocking her gently. Convulsing with pain and loss. Agonized sobs wracking his powerful body.

Her eyes closed and her final words were little more than a sigh escaping her lips. "Goodbye, Arthur. I love you."