Hey sorry about the broken link on this chapter that occurred earlier! Here is the chapter! So yea! you guys got it right! Tristan is indeed the man Uther dueled and killed. He was resurrected as the black knight Arthur fought in Excalibur. Tristan dueled Uther because he felt Uther caused Igraine to die. Let's see how his respect for Uther begins to diminish.
So I am going to continue with the pre-Arthur history storyline before I go back to Merlin. Hope you guys enjoy!
Arthur rubbed his forehead slightly furious.
"ENYGEUS I need some ANSWERS! I can't just keep listening to this! Where is my uncle now? How did my father and mother marry?"
"Come on ..." Enygeus instructed instead. Arthur, as frustrated he was, as upset as he was, intended on finding out more. The truth was sickening him, but he had to know what happened. He had hope his father wasn't that bad.
Enygeus took Arthur outside Uther's room, it door shut preventing Arthur from fully experiencing the conversation about to take place.
"Leave! I do not have time to speak to you," demanded Uther, voice travelling through the door and into Arthurs ears.
Arthur turned to Enygeus.
"What's happening? Why can't we go in?"
Enygeus lifted her index finger to her lips and tilted her head to the door.
Slightly irritated, Arthur listened on, pressing his ear to the door.
"..Do you Uther?"
"I gave Gorlois my word. You have no right to tell me what I must do."
"Uther…Cenred is indeed sending his knights to attack Camelot. Though you mustn't give Gorlois reinforcements…. Camelot will perish if you do otherwise." said a booming voice.
"Are you asserting my knights aren't skilled? Cenred is not a challenge to Camelot! We have the best of the best!"
"You are not understanding Uther... there will be a day when Camelot is in need of a Pendragon heir to rule the lands and unite Albion." said the voice. "You will not bear a heir as long as Gorlois lives."
Arthur's heart pounded against his chest and pressed his ears harder onto the door.
"What you say is nonsense. I can have any woman I please! It is your delusion to think Gorlois has anything to do with this."
"Uther… you and Igraine hold a powerful destiny together that will result in great things. One that will bring into this world a child… a child that is so important for the fate of Albion. This child carries the power to unite all the kingdoms and bring it to peace...this cannot be done as long as Gorlois lives. The prophecies speak of this heir… You must have Gorlois die in tomorrow's battle."
"I would never do such a thing to Gorlois! He has been nothing but loyal to me!" Arthur noticed panic to building in Uther's voice.
"Do you not find the Lady Igraine beautiful?" the voice calmly asked.
"It does not matter! I will never betray him."
The one Uther spoke to chuckled loudly.
"Uther. It does matter. The only way for Albion to triumph is to let this man die. You will not bear a heir as long as you send reinforcements. Your mistake in sending reinforcements will result in tribulations you cannot dream of Uther. There will be nothing you can do. Camelot will perish and so will Albion."
Arthur heard nothing from Uther for some time.
"I had enough of your words Kilgarrah." Uther said in a shaky yet angered voice.
Arthurs head was spinning. Who was this man named Kilgarrah that was speaking of a prophecy?
Suddenly, the door whipped open and Uther passed through Arthur. Arthur turned to see a very distressed look on Uther's face heading to the knight's room. Arthur turned to inside Uther's room and found no man. Just the window open allowing the moonlight and wind to fill the room.
Arthur turned back and followed his father, forgetting about Enygeus and found his father in the room crowded with yawning knights about to retire for the day.
Yes… good… father will ignore this man Kilgarrah…father will tell the knights to go help Gorlois…
Uther scanned the room full of knights rummaging around taking off their chain mail.
"Your majesty…" Spoke one, bowing after realizing Uther was standing at the doorway. The other knights turned and dropped their act and faced Uther awaiting any command.
Uther stared at his knights immensely troubled.
"Is there anything you need my lord?" asked one knight.
Tell him… Arthur thought desperately... Tell him to go to Gorlois… Tell him…
Uther looked down in deep thought.
Please father...tell him... please….please don't betray Gorlois… please.
Uther stared at the knights and took a deep breath.
"No." Uther said firmly. Uther looked down slightly ashamed with himself.
Arthur's heart dropped. No…
The knight nodded almost confused as to why Uther came by, but maintained composure still facing the king and awaiting his words.
"No..." Uther repeated, trailing away, leaving the confused knight to retire.
Arthur turned around and watched his father walk away, his father smoothing his hands over his worried face.
Suddenly, the vision blurred and Uther was back on his throne with a worried look on his pale face, tapping his finger rapidly on the arm of his throne as he thought deeply. The daylight shone in the room and Uther looked down almost waiting for something.
The doors suddenly burst open. Arthur turned to see who it was. It was Tristan, holding up a wounded Gorlois in his arms. Gorlois looked rather pale, his bloody hand covering his heart as he attempted to keep his eyes open. Uther rose up and stared at Gorlois coming closer and dropping to the floor. Tristan did his best to hold him.
"Gorlois…" Uther breathed in shock. "No…" he sped to Gorlois, wide eyes open in horror of not only what he was seeing but what he had done. Gorlois clothes were saturated with blood and his fingers were trembling.
"Your majesty!" Tristan said desperately, "Cenred attacked us at dawn! Gorlois has been wounded badly. He needs to see the court physician! Please! I fear he will not have enough time!"
"Of course..." Uther breathed. "Call Gaius immediately! Tell him it's urgent!" Uther commanded a lingering and fearful servant.
Uther returned his attention to Gorlois who was closing his eyes and head dropping
Tristan was breathing hard and began to stare at Uther. Uther felt the eyes of Tristan gazing at him and glanced at Tristan giving him a calculated look.
"Where were the knights?" Tristan asked quickly, still trying to catch his breath while lifting Gorlois head up and putting pressure on the bleeding wound.
"I sent them...they were to arrive at dawn." Uther lied in response, still horrified at Gorlois condition. "Gorlois, please, say something."
Gorlois groaned and eyes rolled to the back of his head.
"Gorlois, wake up! Don't close your eyes!" Tristan insisted patting Gorlois face. He continued to speak to Uther. "They did not come…" Tristan said firmly, observing Gorlois opening his eyes weakly. Uther looked up and saw Tristan giving him a short but penetrating stare. Uther stared back a bit shaken up, hoping Tristan didn't see right through his lie, when all of a sudden Gorlois spoke.
"Uther…." Gorlois said weakly.
"Yes! Gorlois, what is it?" Uther asked desperately, ignoring Tristan's comment. Uther searched for Gorlois's eyes, which used to be full of soul and passion, now faint.
"My family... keep them safe...Igraine, Morgause, Morgana… please..."
"Gorlois, don't speak, you will only lose energy!" Tristan commanded softly, seeking his brother in laws eyes.
"Uther? You called..?" called a voice. It didn't take Uther to respond for the owner of the voice to be alert of the dreadful situation. "Gorlois!" Gaius said stunned. Gaius turned to the servant that brought him. "Go to my chambers and bring me my equipment, and some spare cloth! Hurry!"
Arthur noticed the light blonde Gaius looking plumper, causing it to smooth his skin. Gaius moved and spoke quicker Arthur noticed. Arthurs heart beat in hope.
Gaius! He can save Gorlois... he has to!
"What caused the wound?" Gaius asked Tristan. "And help me take his shirt off! We need to clean his wound."
Tristan glanced at Uther for a second and looked down. "It was a sword... Cenred men stabbed him near his heart." As Gaius and Tristan took Gorlois's shirt off, they were able to see the deep red wound. It was clear the wound was very deep, and the blood was not going to clot.
The servant hurried in with some cloth and passed it to Gaius, awaiting more direction. Gorlois was closing his eyes again, only to be jostled by Tristan to remain alert.
"Will ... will he live?" Uther asked. Gaius looked up at the anxious king. Something was odd in the way Uther asked the question. His reserved tone almost gave out his true intentions, making anyone feel suspicious. Perhaps Uther had time to get over his shock and focus on his original intention. Gaius seemed a bit thrown off too, though he ignored it.
"I hope so Uther... his cut is deep... he is losing a lot of blood."
Gaius began to wrap Gorlois with the cloth as Uther got up, still staring at Gorlois. Gaius and Tristan were focused on wrapping the cloth around Gorlois chest. Gorlois began to close his eyes and right when they finished wrapping Gorlois, they turned to him.
"Gorlois?" called Tristan, patting Gorlois face. Gorlois didn't say anything. Uther turned around in anticipated horror to Gorlois. "Gorlois, open your eyes!"
Gaius placed his fingers to Gorlois pulse. He searched for it as Tristan and Uther stared at Gaius waiting, though the both hoping for two different fates. Arthur held his breath too.
Gaius let go and looked up at the both of them in shock.
"He's dead."