21. A cordial alliance

Arthur cursed his own cowardice when he followed Morgana to Gaius' present quarters. After all, to stall for time just to postpone the inevitable burst of his last illusions for a few moments longer was not a very brave thing to do.

The Prince had no need to hear the healer's conformation as what Morgana had described was nothing more than the logical consequence of what the King had set into motion.

For sure, there wasn't much in this world the nobles would have risked a civil war for; even their Prince they had been only too willing to sacrifice in order to avoid it. But forcing them to feed a foreign army of this size at their expense while not only their but the whole realm's fortunes went to ruin in the process was a risky business at the best of times. If this foreign army achieved nothing but aiding Uther in tormenting his own people; if the King sacrificed their interests for the sake of some foreigners and finally left the realm without an acceptable heir – well, the nobles' risk assessment was a notoriously fickle thing. It had proved to be most adjustable in the past.

Morgana had some trouble to overcome Gaius' reluctance, as the old healer had no wish to confront his Prince with a hideous truth, but in the end she left them both with a satisfied smile gracing her lips. For once her brother regretted seeing her walk away. The hatred she felt for her father and the fierceness of her wish to reclaim Camelot from anyone who kept it from her were pure; untainted by second thoughts, regrets or any other left-overs from filial affection. Her brother's feelings, on the other hand, were a lamentable mess.

"The crystal has not been tampered with, of that I am certain" Gaius said after a few minutes of awkward silence. "It'll show you the truth. If this is a truth you want to know."

"I want to know something else, first."

"Morgause has put out a few feelers to see whether I'd encourage or advise you against an alliance with her – if that was your question, Sire. And she was not very subtle. Last night she just asked me, out of the blue." Gaius snapped his fingers while he looked hesitantly at his Prince. "I should have told you, I know, but I admit I needed some time to think about it myself."

Angrily Arthur hit his fist against the wall. "I should have known it was Morgause's idea. Morgana and her lies about wanting 'her brother back' be damned."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you!"

"Gaius, you of all people should know what we're up against with these two. Lance has told me all about your and Merlin's fight against Morgause in order to destroy the Cup of Life. Morgana has betrayed us once; surely she'll do it again."

"As I said, I am no longer sure about that."

Arthur huffed contemptuously. "Do you at least know with what they've poisoned your mind?"

"With some truths I had refused to see before."

"Like what?"

"Like the fact that you and your father are two different persons."

Arthur's blank face spoke volumes of what this enigmatic statement told him: Nothing at all.

Gaius sighed. "Please sit down, Sire. You wandering around makes my head spin and I think I'm going to need my wits about me soon. Thank you."

The latter referred to the Prince slumping into the nearest chair.

"You see Arthur, I've made a grave mistake" Gaius continued wearily. "And what's more I deluded Merlin into making the same mistake, against his much better judgement. I've explained to him that you were not your father; that you would bring about an era of justice and peace for Camelot. But then I taught him that he'd never trust you with his secret, that protecting you meant protecting your father at all costs. In other words I forced him to treat – even to see – you and your father as one inseparable and indistinguishable unit."

Arthur shrugged helplessly, his face a question mark with two big eyes.

"Morgana and her sister did just the same" Gaius tried to make his point, but it was to no avail.

"So what? Daddy has been mean to us both and that makes us friends again? Morgana hated me Gaius, she wanted Cendred to torture me. She even hated Gwen because I loved her, hated her enough to have her burned alive."

"Your sister never hated you, how could she? You weren't even there, Arthur. Uther, the knights, even me – none of us ever saw you as a person in your own right. I think your wife was the only one who never saw the King's son, or the Crown Prince or the knights' commander but you, your own self."

Arthur decided to leave this subject. He was used to being taken for granted, used to not having a life of his own no matter how he felt about it. "So you'd say that Morgana is sincere?"

"I say you hardly have another choice but to give it a try and find out."

Now the Prince felt more secure. The phrase 'no choice' normally heralded a round of tough negotiations and that was familiar ground to him indeed. "Why would you say that?"

"Because I asked Morgause what she'd do if you refused her and she said she'd do nothing at all. She'd keep you and your family here until somebody else had claimed the throne of Camelot, doubtlessly tearing the realm apart beyond recovery in the process. Then she would set you free. She had no doubt whatsoever that you would get yourself killed within four weeks in some hare-brained, futile attempt to free Camelot."

"And you believed her." The Prince sounded a bit offended.

"Knowing you and the human race, I still do." Gaius raised his hand but let it fall down again before it touched the young man's cheek. "Face it, Sire. The moment it became known that you're alive you'd become a pawn to the first human hyena that comes your way. And Merlin is no more."

"What about you, great sorcerer? Would you abandon me in my hour of need?" Arthur's voice was teasing, if a bit warmer than usual, and Gaius swallowed before he could answer.

"I'm an old man and nowhere in my bag is a cure for cruelty or greed. But for all they're worth, my creaking bones and wobbling hide are yours to waste, My Lord."

Now it was Arthur's turn to flush with embarrassment. He quickly looked at his toes and as he found he could no longer sit still, he jumped back to his feet. "We've had that conversation before, Gaius. When Morgana had brought down the King with madness, remember? You said I should take over as regent and I said I would never usurp my fa….my King."

"You can't even say it, can you? You can't say 'father' anymore."

Arthur shook his head violently.

"Then, Your Highness, I'd say that your father has finally usurped you. It technically ends your allegiance to him, wouldn't you agree? This allegiance was your sister's enemy, not you."

Just as he had done back then Arthur walked to the nearest window, turning his back to the older man. He thought of te several occassions on which he had thought that Morgana had been a better judge of character when it came to Uther Pendragon. "After Morgause had spoken to you, did you check up on Camelot in this….this crystal or whatever it is?"

"I did."

"Is it true? That Uther has brought it to the brink of disaster?"

"Yes."

"Then show me. Please."

Four hours later the Prince had seen his home country lying in shambles. He had bitten his lip until it bled at the sight of the battlements, the cities, villages and roads. Many of them had, under significant sacrifices in other places, only just been rebuilt from the wreckage Cendred's and Morgause's wars had caused. Now Uther's mismanaged schemes had devastated them again. Many fields had not been tilled, both harbours were almost empty and many houses had been abandoned. Camelot was in for another spell of hunger, cold and anarchy but there had been time and strength enough in the royal army to destroy the last remaining sacred places of the Old Religion. The senseless pillaging and destroying would feed and clothe no one but from the sight of the corpses that still littered the ground, it had been costly.

The citadel was under siege, all right. Ravenclaw was there together with all the other great names of the realm. Only the Branguard banners, other than Morgana had said, were absent. Obviously the siege was a success for the attackers. From the look of it, the lower town, laid to waste twice already in the last three years, had been taken again a while ago. People there had mostly been left to fend for – and somehow feed – themselves.

Inside the citadel only a few servants shuffled through the yard, looking exhausted and listless.

Gaius muttered something about the first class quality of Morgause's equipment and that every King would consider himself lucky to have such an opportunity to spy on his neighbours before he realized that he was babbling. All of a sudden the crystal mirror he had used fell dark and silent.

Arthur had stopped looking anyhow. "Thank you" he muttered before he fled Gaius' company as fast as he could.

For the better part of the night he tossed around, unable to come to any decision. The thought to stay put and do nothing until Morgause most graciously decided to let him go made him grit his teeth. But when he tried to think about going to her and hammer out an agreement to overthrow Uther, cold sweat ran down his spine.

Finally Guinivere found it impossible to pretend that she was sound asleep. Morgana had told her everything and she knew exactly what Arthur was thinking about. "It's just your pride that's tormenting you" she suddenly said in the middle of the night. "The very idea that you should have to go to Morgana, to admit that you need her help is almost killing you. I should know. I felt the same when Margaly was born."

"There's much more to this" he fiercely objected. "Camelot's future…

"..is in shambles if you stay here."

"Your and Margaly's safety…."

"….is gone as soon as we have to leave Doloreux alone."

"Uther still is the lawful King…."

"I wish him to hell and so do you. Damn it, Arthur, can't you admit it just once?"

He jumped out of the bed and faced her. "Say what you want me to do. Say it."

She sat up and glared back at him. "All my life I've told myself that I'd not fall as low as to pay like with like. But now I've a husband, and a child, and I've got my brother back. I've seen what Uther can do to anyone I love. He's proved it when he murdered my father and he's written it in plain letters on your body, for everyone to read. He's a monster and I want him gone. Gone, Arthur, never to return! For my daughter's sake. For your sake."

Angrily she blinked away the tears which threatened to spoil the impression she hoped to make. "When I first saw what he had done to you I…..I wanted….Blast it, every single one of these so called noblemen would do just the same. If keeping you prisoner or torturing you would be to their advantage, I'd lose you. In this snake-pit of a world we need allies and right now they're not exactly queuing up to join our ranks."

"And what Morgana did to us? What about that?"

"She did what she did because you are Uther's son but other than the rest of the power-greedy bunch this reason no longer matters to her. To your sister, and only to her, you're more valuable as a friend than as a hostage."

"And why would that be?"

"From where we stand we have to fear everybody. For Morgana, yours is the only opposition she must fear. Your support, however, legitimizes her claim to the throne."

Her reasoning left him dumbfounded. And, idiotically, a bit in awe. "So I have a tactician for a wife now" he said a bit lamely.

"I had a Crown Prince for a teacher!"

They shouted at each other until their arguments had run full circle and started at the beginning.

When dawn came, Gwen nibbled at her husband's neck comfortingly. "There's nothing for it, my love. You can no longer be true to him and to yourself. You have to make up your mind. Who is it you want to belong to?"

"To the Pendragon snake or the Pendragon jackal?" he muttered exasperatedly.

"The Christians have a saying" Gwen whispered. "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Surely it serves another purpose. But Morgana's suggestion would at least make you a sheep that can choose its pack of wolves."

"And that's something?"

"It's more than nothing. I trust you, Arthur. More than any other man. But not even you will achieve anything if you are locked up in a golden cage."

Three hours later he asked Morgause for a few minutes of her time. It took them the whole day but then they were in an agreement.

Her Most Revered Ladyship was still a bit knackered by her unexpected success when Gaius came for the evening treatment. "I don't believe it, he really agreed. Do you think he means it? I mean, that Morgana should find a way back into his affection I can believe. After all they've grown up together. But that Arthur Pendragon should accept my terms on having the Isle of the Blessed rebuild inside Camelot territory – heavens above!"

Gaius slanted his head at the emotional outburst from the otherwise cool and overly controlled young woman. "Arthur doesn't give a damn about the Old Religion anymore; he has come to think of its evils as machinations of his father's mind. But that he should forgive his sister for what she did – that's what I find hard to believe."

"So you'd say it's not sure yet? That he still might change his mind?"

"Arthur is not one to go back on a promise. Didn't you once ask him to lay his head on the bloc and he did it because he had given his word?"

When the physician stepped back, Morgause turned her head and looked at him inquisitively. They had a more than uneasy truce, she and the man who – together with his ward – had broken her spine. "What do you think about this scheme, old man? Will it be our salvation or our downfall?"

"I couldn't care less for your success or failure, Most Revered Lady. But I do see a chance in this for Arthur to regain what is lawfully his. If Morgana really supports him, if this 'scheme' of yours brings the old times of learning and enlightenment back to Camelot, you can count on my loyalty until the day I'll die. If you are going to betray him again, I will be your enemy."

"Should that make me tremble?"

Morgause screamed when Gaius pressed on her spine with both his hands and his magic. The onslaught left her breathless and her head spinning.

"Maybe it should, My Lady. I am a somewhat underrated force at times."

Without any decorum he grabbed her arm. "Try to get up now." Roughly he pulled her upwards and she swallowed another yelp of pain. Fear pressed on her throat when she stood upright, supported by his indifferent hands. This was the moment of truth. He had said it was his last resort. If this couldn't cure her spine, nothing could.

Morgause gritted her teeth and willed her feet to move. When they really did, the joy made her almost hilarious. The pain was unimportant, as was the fact that she moved like a senile goose on land. She could walk. She would ride, fight, run again, she'd do everything again. She was free. Free at last.

She laughed, turned her head towards the healer, tripped over the carpet and crashed face down to the floor like a stone.

When a shocked Gaius lifted her back on her chair, her head was bleeding and her lip was split but she was still laughing all the same. "This is it" she said. "I will be well again, won't I?"

"Your spine is intact. Your muscles are weak and your limbs are stiff but in time you'll make a full recovery, heaven forgive me."

Gaius frowned when he felt her hand on his arm. "You've saved me twice, old man. Once today and once when I was born. I might even be inclined to forgive you your attempt at my life in Camelot." She gave up some of her derisive attitude. "This time you will not regret what you did, Gaius. I promise."

"This is the day of unwholesome promises then."

"I've news for you, old man. I've searched again and this time, I've found. I'd never thought I'd be glad to find this especially detestable presence but I think I owe it to you."

Gaius froze. "You're kidding me" he said weakly.

"No, I'm not. My Gods, it'll please Algernon to hear that the fool is still part of this world. Albeit the great – perhaps somewhat overrated – saviour of the Druids might not exactly be walking on it right now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Have you ever heard of someone capturing a sorcerer in order to ban his essence, his soul or whatever you want to call it, into a jewel? A healing jewel or a good luck charm?"

"That's superstitious talk Morgause, unworthy of a Lady of the Isle."

"You're getting very grand, adept. The Druids cherish this legend. And I know that it works. The bracelet I gave to my sister to cure her nightmares stems from such a source. The life force in it is weak, it is thousands of years old, but that doesn't prove me wrong."

"Are you telling me that Merlin was caught in order to cure somebody from a magical illness?"

"The illness is not necessarily a magical one but I suppose one could phrase it like that, yes."

"Who? And where? You…"

"Patience, old man. I have a pretty good idea of where to continue my search but I'm not completely sure yet. Besides, the 'patient's' folks might think it better to keep the treatment going a bit longer."

Gaius paled. He bowed curtly and made ready to leave her, his face a mask of barely hidden anger and humiliation while he cursed himself for having fallen for her cat-and-mouse-game.

"You're misunderstanding me again, Gaius. All right then. Tomorrow you will know if I assumed correctly. Do we have a bargain?"

He left without answering her but she couldn't help smiling when she saw him bustle out, virtually bristled with anger and unwilling hope alike.

Morgause leaned back on her chair, more content than she had been in a very long time. All was going according to plan; her regained mobility was an additional asset. Great Mother! If she had known how much could be gained by not interfering with Uther's doings, she would have given this policy a try much earlier.

However, the Priestess had not much time to indulge her catlike satisfaction. Morgana's step was unmistakable and she was chattering away happily almost the second she entered the room. Morgause hardly found a second to tell her sister of her restored health. Morgana congratulated her enthusiastically and hugged her fiercely and yet she was too focused on her own success and prospect to care for long. She'd never doubted Gaius' ability anyways, not as a healer that was.

Thrice the younger sister had mentioned that she thought her beginning reconciliation with her brother to be most sincere and genuine before Morgause interrupted the merry rambling.

"Morgana, would you do me a favour?"

"What?"

"I've told you what Armand said about the necklace you're wearing."

Instinctively her sister covered the pendant protectively with both hands. "Yes. What of it?"

"I've told you sister, that you cannot keep the jewel for very long. If you wear it after its task has been fulfilled you'll never know whether your feelings and thoughts are yours or the necklace's."

"But I feel comfortable with it. I need it. I know I do."

"No, you do not. At least I hope you don't. You've not lied to Arthur, have you? You really want his friendship? Morgana, we both knew that this time only honesty can make our plan work. Deception would destroy it. Do you want to keep the necklace because you need it to better deceive me and your brother?"

Offended, Morgana darted to her feet. "I've never deceived you, sister. You have no right to insult me such."

"Then give me the necklace, now!"

Morgana hesitated a second longer. Contradicting feelings battled on her face, but finally her typical Pendragon pride got the better of her. Angrily she opened the chain and threw the necklace into Morgause's lap. "There you are."

Her neck and throat felt horribly bare and exposed suddenly. It was cold without the comforting warmth of the necklace. Morgana felt angry tears well up in her eyes at the sight of her prized possession in Morgause's hand. "I bid you a good night, sister" she snapped and swept out of the room, all her joy thoroughly crushed. Frantically she thought of who might wish to share her anger for a while. Then it came to her. Thank heaven she had another sibling. She and her brother had much to discuss now, anyway.

Morgause ended her short meditation when she was sure where Morgana was heading. Briefly the High Priestess allowed herself to feel some sympathy for her former enemy. She loved Morgana more than anything in this world but sometimes her sister could be a handful. But then, Arthur surely knew that and he could always hand her over to his long-suffering wife.

Somehow it was very comforting, to have not only Morgana by her side but a whole family, or something that came very close to a family. The warmth of the thought swept over the High Priestess like a ray of sunlight. It felt good. Very good. Maybe she had misjudged Arthur. Maybe their alliance would really be a huge success in the end. Yes, surely that would be the case. And as for that serving girl he'd married, the woman was a dear. Really, it was hard to believe that Morgause should ever have thought of that girl as an enemy. The very thought was ridiculous. How could anyone hate such perfect people?

The sorceress looked down and found her fingers gently stroking the necklace. Quickly she recoiled from the jewel. At once her usual cool remoteness and objectivity came back to her thoughts and feelings.

"That a strength like this should have been born in a peasant's hut" she thought, somewhat impressed against her will. This wasn't her kind of magic; it had nothing to do with swords or war, with power, defeat or victory. And yet it was strong; strong like Druid magic; strong like a force of nature, not of the human mind.

Strong enough to let Morgause look out for the protection of her usual sarcasm. "We can't allow that to go on or else we'll end up sitting in the meadow, singing gentle songs of love into each other's ears until the world comes down."

And yet temptation was almost irresistible. Tentatively she stroke the diamond again and in an instant her mind was filled with loving care, warmth and an urge to seek out her loved ones to make sure they were safe. As soon as she broke contact with the jewel, the feelings faded away.

Morgause frowned. Armand had been sure that the jewel's effect on Morgana would be permanent, though. Maybe it had something to do with the necklace being meant to restore her sister's original personality, not to install a new one in Morgause. Or with the length of time one carried it.

Just as well that Morgana should not wear the necklace any longer. From the very beginning Morgause had had a hard time when Morgana's single minded resolve to do her sister's bidding was softened and qualified by a more balanced approach. The jewel had revived an attitude in King Uther's former ward that had more to do with the young woman who had risked her life to hide a Druid boy than with the single-minded Princess who had been willing to climb a throne over a legion of dead bodies.

It had taken some time before Morgause had been forced to admit that the return to some of her former convictions had done Morgana a world of good.

This realization had brought some disturbing thoughts, though. It was almost as if Morgana had only played the evil Princess because she'd thought that she owed it to her awesome sister. As always, Morgause refused to dwell on this idea for long.

Her thoughts returned to the necklace itself. Armand had said that Morgana would not be able to open or break its chain as long as she needed the jewel's power, so for Arthur's and their plans' sake, Morgause hoped that he had been right. And that, as of tomorrow night, the necklace's far too positive powers would never be too close to her sister again.

The Priestess reached for the jewel once more, thought better of it and wrapped it in a silk scarf before she touched it. "Better safe than sorry" she mumbled. But even through the layers of silk the feelings radiated from the thing to her when her fingers came near it.

"Thank heaven that at least as a human this boy can get angry and spiteful on occasions." She remembered his attack in Camelot that had almost killed her and shuddered. "It's a pity we can not leave you how you are, my friend. But as an indestructible magic icon of love and virtue you're even more unendurable than as a man."

Morgause rang for a servant to bring her own jewel case to her.

When the necklace was safely put away, the High Priestess shook her head, still in awe. "I'd never thought I'd say that, but I think it's high time for you to reappear, dear Emrys!"