Arthur tried to maintain order. He commanded Sir Leon and Alvarr to take Gwen back to her chambers and keep her safe. Alvarr was hesitant to leave, understandably fearing for those of The Isle. Arthur then procured a sword off Sir Ector, and stood over Morgana's weeping form himself. He literally didn't trust else to protect her right now.
Morgana.
His heart couldn't stop pounding.
She almost died. Because of me, and my disloyal knight.
She was holding Ninianne's pale, lifeless body in her arms now and sobbing. And Morgause was holding her, her face pure rage.
Sir Balden, who was a sensible sort of man, told the guests at court, that the session was over, and they needed to leave via the back doors. Most were in a hurry to do just that. Other's continued to gawk at the abysmal sight before them.
))))))
Gwen was pacing in her temporary chambers. Her eyes were red rimmed.
Arthur stood at the door, just watching her momentarily. Why can't everyone be as kind and trustworthy as you, Gwen?
Her eyes met his across the room, she ran to him, "It was so awful, poor Morgana, and Morgause… I can't imagine what they are feeling right now."
She pulled him into a hug of worry.
"You shouldn't marry me. Your kingdom could collapse."
"I'm marrying you," Arthur reaffirmed.
Gwen wept at the horror of it all while he held her close.
Despite the present chaos, it made him remember back, to the picnic they had gone on only a fortnight ago. So much had happened since then. Arthur had the cooks prepare a lunch, he put a fur on the ground for them to sit on. And they ate hard bread and cheese, and cold roasted pheasant, and Arthur supplied wine from his own skin. Gwen seemed so happy just to be alone with him.
Gwen didn't know he was seriously considering her at the time. She just thought he wanted company on his rides. Every day he asked her more about her childhood, her hopes for the future, what she would like to see happen in Greater Camelot. She spoke fondly of her brother, and her father. Her hopes were mostly that the lands remain peaceful and prosperous. That Morgana would find happiness. That Arthur would find a queen worthy of him, and that they be happy and have many healthy children. Of her life all she said was that she liked being a maid in the castle, and that even if Morgana preferred to be waited on by Caellan, that she wished they still find some duties for her. Gwen was stunned to be asked her opinion on ruling and deferred to him about what was best.
"You are more than just a maid, Guinevere," Arthur reminded her, "What about yourself, you said you wanted Morgana and I to be happy, what about you?"
Gwen smiled politely, "I am happy, how many maids get to escort the High King of Greater Camelot on his rides?"
He smiled back, "Do you wish to marry?"
Gwen was surprised, then made self-conscious by the question.
She kept her focus in the ground as she spoke, "I don't expect to."
"Why not?"
A dejected longing crossed her face before her eyes averted. Gwen looked absently out towards the horizon.
She seemed far away as she said, "Call me a dreamer, but I will only wed for love, and the person I love… well, we can't be together."
He'd never heard her mention anyone, he had always felt she fancied him, a least a little, more so since they had kissed during that jousting tourney in her humble abode. Maybe she does mean me.
"So, who is this man that you fancy?" Arthur asked playfully.
"It doesn't matter," She smiled sadly, still not making eye contact.
Arthur reached out, to hold her fidgeting hands steady, as he leaned in and kissed her. Just the faintest brushing of lips. Her eyes fluttered closed. She was warm, and damp, and so soft. She blushed heavily now, stealing glances at him, as he resumed his former position. She was shocked but flattered by it all.
"You're very beautiful," He commented.
Gwen's light brown cheek turned a healthy shade of crimson, a grin broke out.
"You did mean me, right?" Arthur was still being good-humored, but still a little unsure.
Gwen's pretty dark eyes stared back at him, full of love, and he knew. He sought her lips again. This time she reciprocated merrily, and the kiss became less innocent, more lustful. But Gwen was still shy and hesitant, she had never done this before, he was sure. There was nothing to stop them, so they spent an afternoon in one another's arms. He made no greater attempt to touch her body. He would never lose himself to the sin of the flesh again, not without being married. She laid between his arms, against his chest, staring out at the sun almost ready to set. He let his chin rest on her shoulder, staring out at the same peaceful sight.
Gwen asked, "Do you remember when we kissed in Morgana's chambers."
Arthur was confused. They'd only kissed once, when he was pretending to be Sir William of Dareah.
Gwen got a dreamy look in her eye as she recalled it, "Do you remember what you said?" She eyed him as she spoke, joy in her features, "That you had made an excuse to come to Morgana's chambers because you wanted to be around me."
Arthur had no idea what she was talking about, but Gwen blushed sweetly as she recalled it.
"I was embarrassed and so I said, 'I'm a maid', and then you replied, 'why should it matter, when I'm king, I can change the rules'," Her kind eyes focused on his, full of love, "I never dared hope that you really meant it."
She seems so happy. But, I really don't remember saying that or the kiss. Gwen wouldn't lie. Could she be mistaken?
He decided it didn't really matter. He kissed her again, and recommended they ride back very slowly.
He proposed the next day, on another picnic but now they were on the banks of Avalon Lake. He offered Gwen flowers he had picked. Well, asked Argyle to pick, but still. Gwen still could hardly believe her ears.
"But, you're the high king, you have to marry a princess," Was all Gwen in her stunned state could manage to say.
His vulnerability had shone through for a moment, "Don't you want to marry me?"
Gwen was flabbergasted, "Yes, of course, Arthur, yes!"
He was so relieved. They had kissed some more.
For a mere moment, he recalled a similar proposal and a tent in Cornwall. It seemed a lifetime ago now. There is no point in dwelling on what cannot be.
That had been the moment he started to be able to imagine how his life would unfold. Gwen would be his high queen, Morgana his adviser, he would rule wisely and the commons would love him.
Arthur returned to the present moment, with Gwen weeping, her hot breath on his ear. He did his best to reassure her. He would need protection with her at all times. And Morgana. That's what knights are supposed to be for.
Arthur stopped long enough to realize he was shaking.
))))))
It was nearly midnight when Arthur was finally free of pressing matters, and able to visit Morgana's chambers. The candles were lit. Caellan was crying in Alvarr's arms, Morgause lay in Morgana's arms on the bed, and Morgana was attempting to sooth her. Morgana was still wearing her white gown, covered with dark, dried blood.
It was supposed to be her wedding day.
Morgause looked up, somewhere between overcome with sadness, and searing mad. Morgana's face told him this wasn't the right time to discuss the future stability of The Pact.
What can I possibly say? I can offer them nothing for their grief.
You can ensure none of your knights ever behave so dishonorably ever again.
"I'm so sorry," Was all Arthur managed in the end.
The fact that the Islers hadn't stormed off in anger screaming bloody vengeance meant they didn't hold Arthur personally responsible. He could reason with them, they were all decent people. It was his own ranks he felt ashamed of.
)))))))
Aldro has always been loyal. He followed every order Father ever gave him. Arthur had never questioned that he need be concerned by his conduct. Aldro was of an old noble family, in very good standing, they were themselves once kings or perhaps it was more warlords back then. He was in agreement with Uther where sorcery was concerned, and was traditional, but Arthur always knew that the oath to the king that knights pledged prevented them taking their political convictions too far. In recent times, Aldro had become quiet, he certainly made no effort to acknowledge Morgause or Alvarr but Arthur believed once the sorcerers had both proven themselves apt fighters, that his knights would see what he did. Like Sir Hilden, whom had been honest about his doubts and had been reassured by Arthur.
Arthur looked at the faces of his knights. Which ones are trustworthy? He didn't know now.
Arthur couldn't remember his father ever having this problem with a knight before. Have I strayed from the Knight's Code? Christian morality doesn't have to be the preserve of Christians alone. And surely the first rule is to obey your king.
But I didn't. Towards the end, I disobeyed Father, because I knew he was wrong.
It's not the same! My actions were for peace, and forgiveness, Sir Aldro's actions were for more hate and war.
))))))
Arthur paced in his chambers, Agravaine was his only counsel.
He blamed himself, "I should have made all of my knights aware of my intention, and had each and every one of them swear me a new oath of loyalty, including that they would uphold the rights of magical people."
Agravaine nodded gravely, "Might Aldro have done what he did anyway?" His uncle wondered aloud, "If he bore such… ill will toward Morgana?"
"A man like Sir Aldro, would have refused to make such an oath," Arthur was only just starting to understand it now, "And then I would have known to release him from my service."
Agravaine wasn't reassured, "Are there others, knights, who think as he did?"
"I will have to find out," Arthur said.
He felt the weight of all of it, pressing on him. He laid his head in his hands as he finally allowed himself to sit on his bed, "What of the other kings? And the princesses?"
Agravaine informed him, "Rodor is most displeased, but Bayard will accept your decision, though he still wants to marry Morgana, and King Alined… who knows?"
"It'll be okay?" Arthur looked to his older companion for guidance.
"I surely hope so," His adviser stated, "In future, you should run such plans by me, I know I didn't agree with your decision to wed Guinevere, and I certainly don't wish to… revisit that argument," Uncle managed to say stiffly.
Neither do I.
Agravaine had nearly birthed a litter of puppies he was so overcome that the High King of Greater Camelot was going to wed a blacksmith's daughter, a blacksmith executed as a traitor no less, for all the world to see. The very thought of it was abhorrent to him.
"You are slapping your new vassals, your under kings, in the face," Uncle said sternly, "To pass over old Roman families, princesses of high birth and good character for a common maid."
"And allowing the commons to become knights…" Agravaine shook his head, "You turn the very foundation of Roman society upside down, how are we going to keep order if every stable boy and farmer's whelp thinks himself the equal of the nobility, Sire?"
"The nobles are the few," Arthur stated, "This is about giving hope to the many."
Agravaine shrugged, unconvinced, "But I doubt any commons and peasants will prove themselves the equal of the sons of royalty."
We'll see about that!
Agravaine moved to leave, but stopped in the doorway, "I fear what happened in the throne room…" The older man waited until he had Arthur's full attention, "…might become a common occurrence."
Arthur knitted his brow, clearly not understanding.
His adviser explained himself, "Perhaps Sir Aldro thought himself the equal of his king… that he knew better than you, Sire," He chose his next words carefully, "Why should he obey you?"
"Because I'm his king and he swore me an oath of loyalty," Arthur replied, before realizing the contradiction.
"But, if we are all equal," Uncle warned, "The distinction between king and stable boy, doesn't exist. Your power rests on the people believing in your divine right to rule them, without it, what's to stop anarchy?"
Those last words unsettled him.
The courtiers were already beginning to make their announcements around Camelot about Arthur's intended marriage and the decree on knighthood and wedding tourney. The responses they were getting were overwhelmingly positive. The commons and peasants were ecstatic, at even the hope that they might one day rise above their poverty and daily grind, or that someone they knew would, held such appeal. Arthur was already popular, but since that day, he became something else. The hero on a mass scale, beloved of the people everywhere. If nobles were thinking about rebelling over the news, they would have no recourse, no peasant or common would lift a finger against their God, King Arthur.
Merlin suspected Arthur didn't want to let the nobility in on his new way until it was decreed and done. But he probably wished now, that he had. It is always so clear in hindsight. The Islers left for a few days, escorting the High Priestess' body back to their island on Avalon Lake.
Merlin returned to the Crystal Cave. His mind hadn't stopped spinning since Arthur's wedding announcement, the round table and Ninianne…
Taliesin said that Morgause was a threat to Arthur, but how could that have been?
Merlin had never left Camelot. He only pretended to. He had perfected an aging spell. Gaius had helped him to re-invent himself as the new physician's assistant. No one suspected the doddery old man, in the plain robe, with the long white beard of anything. Except for a few comments to Gaius that perhaps he should be training an assistant who was… likely to outlive him, 'Rhys' went unnoticed. But being an old man with no official business at some events, had limitations. That's why Merlin had also learned a reverse aging spell. He could make himself look eighty, and when it suited him, he became an eight year-old boy. He pretended to be Emmett, Rhys' grandson. No one had realized they were never in the same room at once. Merlin had managed to be a serving boy during the ball. At every conceivable time Arthur might have contact with Morgause, Merlin was there watching, ready to protect his king.
The risk of discovery was great, especially from The Isle. Merlin absently fingered the medallion at his wrist, he'd journeyed far and risked much to gain the charm that repelled other's magic. Merlin was sure it was the only reason Mordred had not discovered him. Gaius wore a matching talisman, since he was the only other person who knew the truth. All his best laid plans were for nigh if the boy knew what he was up to.
Merlin had been on edge every time he sat in court since he had visited the Crystal Cave. But every time, it was never quite right, not what he'd seen in that vision. And then… that day, he began to wonder, there was no round table in the vision he saw, the thrones he had seen in the crystal were gone now… had the future changed? Had whatever horrible fate been prevented? That day, Morgause was dressed how he'd seen her, but Morgana was in white, with her hair tied up. Merlin had actually begun to relax, until…
The more Arthur spoke of his new way, of elevating the commons, of his impending marriage to Gwen, the more the hostility of the nobles in the room grew. Merlin could feel it, but he was really only watching Morgause.
He'd sat in one of the rows of pews towards the front, not far from the new wooden round table and kings. He had seen Morgause edge closer to Arthur, subtly. Arthur wore his crown, and was dressed the way he had seen in the crystal.
The more he went over events, the more Merlin was convinced that his foreknowledge was the only reason Ninianne was dead. Morgause had been very quick to respond to the danger posed by Sir Aldro. Had Merlin not assumed she was instigating violence, rather than defending someone else, with Arthur's interests at heart, Merlin would not have frozen her sword to its sheath, she probably would have stopped the knight before he even got to Morgana. And Ninianne wouldn't have needed to sacrifice herself. Aldro might have died, but most certainly no one else. And if Merlin hadn't prevented her from using magic, Morgause would have stopped him that way, or Morgana herself, as she had tried to do. Every which way he thought about it, it seemed to Merlin that rather than no one dying or just the hateful knight, that his actions had caused the High Priestess' death.
'Ninianne would skin her own child if she saw a gain in it for The Isle', Merlin recalled Taliesin saying last time, before adding that calmer, less fanatical heads needed to prevail within the leadership of The Isle of Mists.
He used me to remove Ninianne.
Morgause posed no threat to Arthur. Even in her anger at Ninianne's death, the most she did was yell.
The vision had been deceptive, only showing him a narrow view of what was really going on. The vision in the crystal had made Aldro appear to be defending Arthur when a crazed Morgause stabbed him in the back, before holding a blood-drenched sword in front of Arthur, with the intent to kill the king.
Merlin made his way down the curving path towards the deep dark abyss where the crystals were, lighting his path as before.
"You lied to me," Merlin spoke petulantly to the rainbows of reflection hitting the walls, "You used me to murder Ninianne!"
"Emrys, you've got it all wrong," The withered old voice replied unfazed.
Merlin said, "You clearly didn't want her ruling."
Silence.
"You knew that would happen!" Merlin raged, the echo becoming unbearable within the cave as he raised his voice.
"I did," Taliesin conceded, "But you aren't seeing the whole picture."
"How so?" Merlin expressed his disbelief, feeling betrayed.
"If you hadn't intervened, Morgana would have died," Taliesin said plainly, calmly, "And the rage at her death would have led Morgause to kill Arthur in the heat of the moment," Taliesin spoke with a conviction that surprised Merlin, "Such was her rage at her lover's death, and blaming Arthur for the actions of his knight."
Merlin shook his head in disbelief, "Morgause would have cut Sir Aldro down before he even got to Morgana if I hadn't acted."
"That's not true Merlin," The old Seer was confident, "Without you, it turned out differently."
Something about that statement bothered him, but Merlin couldn't immediately articulate why, so he waited, expectant.
The wise old man explained, "Morgause pulled her own sword immediately, and Aldro saw her, which is why he threw his sword at Morgana. He knew his life was forfeit, but he was determined to take Morgana with him."
Merlin wasn't so sure now, "But Morgana would have used magic to deflect the sword."
Taliesin was ready for that question too, "Morgana heard him call 'witch' thinking Ninianne was in danger and pushed her mentor out of the way," Taliesin said, before agreeing, "Arthur thought Gwen was in danger and protected her, and Ninianne was about to stop the sword using magic but Morgana's shove caused her to miss her target, and Sir Aldro's sword went through Morgana's heart, and lodged in the wooden chair behind, pinning her as she died."
"And that caused Morgause to blame Arthur?" Merlin tried to clarify.
"It wasn't rational, but Morgause has never loved anyone as she loves Morgana," Taliesin explicated, "It was done, and Arthur was dead before anyone could do anything."
Merlin felt a tear run down his face.
"Then what happened?"
"Morgause was killed on the spot by Arthur's other knights, as were Ninianne and Alvarr. Widespread hatred of sorcery returned to the land, and Greater Camelot and Arthur's high kingship fell apart when Arthur died with no heir."
Merlin felt more hot tears stinging his eyes.
"You did a wonderful thing Merlin," Taliesin reassured him, "I know it doesn't feel that way, but it was."
"You said," Merlin tried to control his voice, it was hard to get the words out, "Last time, you said, the future and past are written like a book. Now you say I prevented an awful future?" Merlin tried to get all the swirling thoughts in his head straight, "Then it wasn't destined to happen, that was only one of many possibilities. Which is not prophecy at all."
The old sorcerer didn't miss a step, "I told you what I needed to tell you to get you to do what you were going to do," The voice replied.
"You lied!" Merlin returned, angry.
"I can only do what I will do and no more, Emrys," Came the repeated cryptic answer.
Merlin felt such frustration as he wanted to strike the old magician. But there was no way to reach him, he was just a glimpse in a refracted surface, barely more than a mirage.
Taliesin reassured him, "You saved Arthur, now he won't face another serious threat for a long time to come."
"How long?" Merlin asked.
"Not for a long time," Taliesin stated, "Mordred will save Arthur's life."
"Mordred?" It seemed strange to Merlin. The lying dragon told you to distrust the boy.
"This is the dawning of a new era of peace and prosperity, Emrys! Arthur is safe."
Merlin still had so many questions though.
"Why did it not look quite right?" Merlin wondered aloud, "Morgana was wearing white, her hair was up, they weren't sitting on the usual thrones, lots of details were wrong…"
"I showed you what I needed to show you in order for you to do as you would," Came the equally useless response.
Merlin wanted to scream, and force the elusive old man to answer him properly.
"Arthur is safe, and can now fulfill his destiny as champion of the people, thanks to you, Young Wizard," Taliesin softened, "You are proving your great destiny, Emrys!"