Arthur entered the roundtable his eyes moving over Viviane as Guinevere came to stand next him and Lancelot. Merlin and Viviane stood on the far side of the table. Arthur's eyes were unforgiving on her yet Viviane stood as stoic as always unphased.
"You are bold to come here my lady," Came Arthur's cool greeting.
"No I am not this land was mine before it was yours. She replied gently. We made it yours." She raised her chin slightly daring him to defy her. Arthur didn't only a clench of his cheek betrayed his emotions.
"We told you this time would come. Lourdes life has put us in debt.," Viviane continued.
"What debt? What are you speaking of?" Lancelot asked confused.
Viviane looked at him deep into his eyes" Listen to me carefully. A life was given to save Lourdes' we are in debt now for that life. She was not sparred for no reason." Viviane's gaze moved to Guinevere. "Your wife is barren Arthur. It is well known. I Britain has no heir to the throne it will fall."
Guinevere winced at her predicament before speaking. "So what are you suggesting?"
Merlin sighed taking over Viviane. They would not like this news. "Lourdes was spared to give birth to the future king. Briton will not recognize any child of Arthur's that is not with Guinevere. A bastard. They want Lourdes' child, she is a Castus."
Arthur and Lancelot's bow furrowed. "I must force my sister to bare a child" Arthur asked angrily.
"Not just any child," Viviane added and looked to Lancelot which startled him the look in her eyes. " It must be a noble child. Your sister must bare if not yours naturally the next best thing." She spoke the entire time looking at Lancelot." She must bare the second in commands, the first knights child." Lancelots eyes widened his breath hitched as he saw Arthurs head shake earnestly.
"No, NO! I will not ask such a thing of my sister!" Arthur yelled in refusal.
"Artorius you must. If not Britain will fall. There will be war when you are old and have no child. War from all over, Rome; Saxon… they will all want your crown." Merlin said calmly.
Arthur shook his head and paced gently looking to Lancelot "When have you ever been silent?"
Lancelot taken aback was still in shock. "There must be another way. She will never agree to being a pawn. Or to do such things with me. She will not bare my child."
"She will, she must or Britain will fall. Avalon as well. She will never let this land fall from Arthur's hands." Viviane replied.
"You cannot ask this of her. The only way she has known a man is through being forced and violated." Guinevere argued. "You can't make her do this it will kill her." Guinevere never mentioned Lourdes' hating Lancelot though.
Viviane sighed and looked at Merlin. "May I have a moment with Lancelot please?"
Arthur and Guinevere looked at him and he nodded solemnly and they left hesitantly. Viviane brought her gave to be fixed on him. "This is your time your chance. Lourdes is weak, she has been running and fighting you to long Lancelot. Her love for you has killed her. Now if you care for her at all you can heal her. Do you care for her?" Viviane asked plainly.
Lancelot looked at Merlin and then Viviane. "Yes, I do very much. I love her" He said gently and felt a weight lift of him for finally saying it.
"She can't fight you anymore as much as she has tried. She has foght for to long. The fate of Britian lies in both your hands. Will you do this? Show her the true meaning of love?" Merlin asked in his cool even tone.
"In such an intimate moment she cannot hide from you? She will show her true self. Lourdes is a lady of Avalon. She knows many tricks. But in such a moment she cannot glamour herself from you" Viviane said gently.
Lancelot sighed deeply running a hand over his face. The thought of holding her, touching her, loving her how she should be loved. It was all he wanted. "I will do it,"
"You will have to help talk her into it. Make her see the right path. She will fight this oh believe me she will"
"I know," He said gently. "Summon her"