Morgana's face wrinkled in distaste as she watched Arthur sleeping. Grunting and ear popping snoring filled his chamber. His hand tightly clutched a pillow, a white sheet contrasted against his dark sleeping pants. A faint sweat appeared on his brow.
"so, Arthur, you can sleep? Merlin and Gwen are gone because you sent them away. And you sleep like a baby? Let me give you a dream."Morgana whispered magical words against Arthur's ear. A dark smiled covered her face. "Sleep well, brother."
Arthur feet tapped against the marble of the castle floor. He followed the sound of Guinevere's laughter. It drew him like a moth to a flame. Hurriedly, he raced to greet her, to feel her lips moving on his lips; her breast pressed against his chest, and her hands tangled in his hair. His broad hand gently turned the door handle.
Soft smothered moans met his ears; a harsh groans floated around the chamber. His eyes lowered as a scowl formed on his handsome face. Quietly, he walked into Gwen's chamber. Fury built in his chest as he saw Lancelot making love to Guinevere. Her dark eyes closed in pleasure as Lancelot's nuzzled her neck. Her legs curled around his waist.
"Guinevere," Arthur screamed. "What e you doing in my bed."
Lancelot and Gwen gave him a startled look. "Arthur, why are you here?"
"Why are you committing adultery with Lancelot," Arthur yelled.
"Arthur, you dissolved our marriage. I married Lancelot. I haven't seen you in two years."
"What?"
Gwen gave him a sad look." Let us finish. I have needs. We can talk later."
Arthur stood in shock as Guinevere and Lancelot resumed make loving. He backed out of the room and sat quietly in a chair. A tear dropped from his eyes. " Arthur, how are you," Merlin asked. Arthur jumped to see Merlin standing before him. A dark goatee covered Merlin's angular face.
"Merlin, Gwen married Lancelot?"
"Of course, Lancelot was named Odin's heir. He's a king now. I'm his advisor."
"Lancelot has my life. He stole it."
Merlin shook his head sadly. "No, Arthur , you gave your life to Lancelot."
Arthur sunk in a chair as his world spun out of control. He shut his eyes to make it stop. He heard soft humming. Slowly, he opened his eyes to view Gwen rocking a baby in her arms. "Arthur, welcome, come meet my son." Arthur cautiously walked towards Gwen. A small brown baby with dark eyes and curling hair, opened and closed their dainty hand like a clam. A feeling of love rushed through Arthur.
"What did we name him?'
"We, Arthur?'
"Our son or daughter?"
"Lancelot, my husband, is the father of my child. His name is Galahad. Would you like to hold him?"
Arthur backward away from Gwen and her child. He screamed, "No."
Arthur's breathing calmed as he spotted gold and Pendragon red hanging in the Council Room. Hesitantly, he followed the sound of Guinevere's laughter. His hand rested on his sword, he peered around a heavy wooden door. Guinevere sat holding a fat baby on a large grey blanket surrounded by two older children.
"Arthur, you were almost late for our picnic," Gwen chided gently. "The children cooked for us." She laughed quietly , but her eyes were fearful. "Without help from Cook."
A small girl with blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes threw herself at Arthur and wrapped her small body around his legs. "Father, are you hungry?" A boy with dark brown curls and his sapphire blue eyes tossed an apple at Arthur. "Eat, Father, hurry," he shouted glee fully. Arthur's breathing returned to normal. He pulled his daughter into his arms as she wrapped her small arms around his neck. Wet noisy kisses were placed around his face. "Charles, won't come to our party, Father." The little girl pointed towards a small boy pouting in a corner. "Father, make him come! Father, make it right!, she cried. Arthur lowered his daughter to the blanket as Gwen's eyes beamed with love for him. "Hurry back, love." Arthur nodded as he turned to face his son.
Charles rolled his eye in distaste as Arthur approached. "Charles, please join our picnic?" Charles shook his head furiously. "No, it isn't real because of you," Charles screamed. Arthur stared at his son in amazement. "It's real."
"No, Papa." Arthur gave him a funny look . "What is a papa?" Charles slumped in a corner. "Look, I live in the spirit world with my siblings. We can see other times and worlds. Other children call their parents, Papa, Dad, or Daddy. Father is a bit much for a child. Look, I'm tired of waiting. I came too early and created part of this mess. I caused a rift in your marriage. Seriously, dad, you're a jerk. Mommy is too good for you. She's just too nice. She loves you. I guess you love her. However, Dad, you messed up the rest. You changed destiny, you aren't our Daddy, any longer."
Arthur shook his head furiously. "No, the little girl called me father."
Charles brushed away a tear. "Susan is a flake. You named her after a flower because her eyes were so dark like Mom's. I'm the oldest. Susan should arrive two years after me with Vivienne. Don't worry, the girls aren't twins. Vivienne is the daughter of Aunt Morgana and Uncle Merlin. She's born with the right parents except her mother is evil. Your fault, again."
"Charles-"
"I'm not done. Henry was supposed to be born two years after the girls. Baby Autumn was a surprise. You didn't want any more children after Henry because he's a bit wild. You call her, 'Goldie' because she's a perfect blend of you and mother."
"Son-"
"I'm not your son, anymore, Lancelot is my father. Because you threw mother out. I rather have a spanking than listening to his flowery words," Charles complained.
Arthur drew his son into his arms. "I'll fix it. I'll find your mother. I'll find Merlin. Trust me." Charles's arms squeeze Arthur's neck. "Be quick, Daddy." Arthur looked into his own blue eyes as he ruffled Charles' soft blonde curls. "All of you have curls?" Charles nodded.
"Daddy, you were supposed to see Aunt Morgana in her dark glory. I'll spare you, tonight. If you don't find my mother in two weeks, all is lost. Then, you will see evil Aunt Morgana in your reality. It won't be a dream."
Arthur nodded swiftly. "Charles, what's a spanking?"
Charles smiled brightly. "Nothing that you need to know about. By the way, we aren't well behaved."
"Obviously."
"Find mommy before his nobleness does, if you fail, I'm going to grow up and steal Camelot from you as revenge."
Arthur smiled weakly at his son. "You have a bit of your grandfather Uther."
"Hurry," Charles screamed.
Arthur's chest heaved as he flung himself from his bed. He rolled on his back. Cool water splashed around him as Morgana emptied a pitcher on his face. "How's pride working for you, Arthur?' Arthur clambered towards a chair. He flicked water from his hair. He stared coolly at Morgana.
"Where are they?"
Morgana's heavy hair hid her face. Moonlight bounced off her pale skin. "I don't know."
"You're a witch."
"Gwen's sorrow is deep and profound. She doesn't want to be found. Her pain shields them from my sight." Guilt ate at Arthur's heart.
"Yes, you should feel bad."
"Freya might know."
"Who's Freya?"
"The lady in the lake, Merlin's first love. You killed her."
"I killed woman."
"No, she was a creature and Merlin buried her in a lake."
Stunned, Arthur crossed his ankles. "Maybe, you should keep secrets from me."
Morgana smiled tightly. "Yes, my darling brother, the truth is messy."
Morgana leaned forward. She covered Arthur's calloused hand with her delicate soft palm. She dug her nails into his damp flesh. He yelped in pain as his eyes opened in shock. "Charles, is right. Find them or I'll make your life a living hell."
