Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, it is owned by BBC, Syfy, and its creators. The basis of this chapter comes from the Season 2 Episode: Sins of the Father, and all dialogue and plotlines from it are owned by the writer and those that own Merlin. I do own Anne, Caylene, Fastion and Amyntas.
I fought down a yawn as Uther finished up the knighting ceremony, "Knight of Camelot." As I watched the knights rise I looked over at Morgana, who smirked when she saw me fight another yawn. I forced my attention back onto what Uther was saying, "-a great honour. With that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the Knight's Code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no-one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur." I watched as he laid his hand on Arthur's shoulder in approval be for continuing, "Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title." Uther turned around and walked towards the throne next to me, giving me a sympathetic smile when I yawned as our sixteen month old daughter had crawled out of her bed and into ours, curling up against me and taking turns with her younger sibling in keeping me awake.
As we heard the clashing of swords in the outer hall, Uther spun around frowning as he drew his sword. The men who had just been knighted formed a v in front of him and stood behind Arthur, all of their swords drawn and waiting, on edge, to see who had invaded the castle. Uther moved in front of me and whispered, "If it comes to a fight I want you out of her immediately, you and Morgana." He looked back for only a moment to make sure I had agreed with a nod, and then he looked over to Gaius who was edging toward us and he nodded his approval at the older man's actions.
We watched as an unknown knight strode into the room, all the knights of Camelot waiting for Uther or Arthur to give a command for them to rush the stranger. When the knight reached the front of the room, they tore off their gauntlet and threw it on the ground. Uther looked back at me in confusion, and I merely shrugged my shoulders, before we both focused back on the stranger and watched as Arthur picked up the gauntlet. "I accept your challenge. If I am to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity," Arthur said calmly.
The knight reached up to their helmet and began to pull it off, leading to a chorus of gasps when long, blonde hair fell out and revealed a young woman. She looked at us, her eyes cold as she replied, "My name is Morgause."
Uther frowned as he paced the records chamber, Arthur nearby leaning against the table as Geoffrey finished looking through the last record book he had brought to the council chambers. Finally the older man sighed, "I've searched the records going back more than three hundred years. I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge."
Uther turned to the man and snapped, "There must be some way to put a stop to this?"
"According to the Knight's Rules, it seems her challenge is perfectly valid," Geoffrey replied, a hint of apology in his voice.
"It seems there's nothing we can do," Arthur interjected as he turned to face them.
"We don't know anything about this woman." Uther said, transferring his glare from Geoffrey to his son. "I will not let you face her in combat," he stated as he shook his head in denial.
"I accepted the challenge. If I refuse to fight, it will be seen as an act of cowardice," Arthur argued.
"She killed five guards. You should not underestimate her," Uther argued, thumping the table with his finger, trying to emphasize the point to Arthur as he turned away and began to pace once more.
"I cannot demand that my knights uphold the code and then be seen to break it myself," Arthur said in exasperation, as Uther swung his head to look at him. "I must face her tomorrow."
Uther sighed in frustration, and threw his hand out in dismissal before turning to one of the windows that overlooked the courtyard. As he spotted the young woman in question, he focused on her fighting technique as the rustle of Arthur and Geoffrey's departure filled the room. A half hour later he headed for his own rooms. When he arrive, Anne was all ready fast asleep Caylene sprawled out on his side of the bed. He chuckled as he changed and then got into bed placing himself in the middle so that tonight Anne would at least only have to deal with one child disturbing her sleep and not both of them. He grinned as Caylene rolled toward him, and curled up against him, though he grunted in pain when her knees dug into the lower part of his ribcage.
The next morning Uther walked out into the fighting arena with a frown, as he worked on ignoring the drumming that was going on. As he turned to face the field in front of his throne, he cast a quick glance around the assembled people and Morgana. With Anne nearing two months to her due date he had told her to stay in the castle with Caylene as he did not want anything exacerbating her. When Arthur joined Morgause on the field, Uther finally spoke, "The fight is by the Knight's Rules, and to the death." He sat down and watched as Arthur moved toward Morgause, whispered something and then turned around taking his place on the field and dropping into position.
Uther smirked as he watched Arthur, as he had done hundreds of times before. Morgause suddenly struck out and their swords clanged against each other, before they broke apart and circled each other. A few seconds later, she attacked again and Arthur fought back pushing her back with the fury of his attack. Uther grinned as her sword went flying from her hand. He could see Morgana move to the edge of her seat out of the side of his vision and watched as Arthur motioned for the woman to pickup her sword with his own as he backed up giving her room to get her sword. She stood up and reached carefully for her sword, as Arthur had cut her arm. When she had picked it up, Uther felt his hands tightening around the hand rests of his chair and his body tensed up. She moved forward and began attacking Arthur, who once more forced her back until her body met the arena wall. She kicked out and got Arthur in the back of the knee.
As he fell from the kick, his helmet flew off and he fell on his back on the ground. Morgause quickly pinned him down with her sword to his chest. Uther felt his chest clench in pain, and prayed to whoever might be listening that he would not see his son die today. He watched as Morgause took off her helmet, and begin to talk to Arthur. He felt rage beginning to build up at the same time that he felt himself worrying about Arthur's life. A few minutes later she reached down and helped Arthur stand up. Uther frowned in bewilderment trying to figure out what would have made her do such a thing, though he could not help but be grateful for it, and annoyed that she was the victor while his son had been defeated, and by a woman no less. Uther pushed himself up off his throne in reaction to his indignation at his and his son's embarrassment at the hands of Morgause, who quickly moved toward him. She bowed and then strode away. Uther took one last look at Arthur, trying to keep his anger at Arthur for insisting on continuing the challenge, and his embarrassment at bay as he did so. He finally turned and stormed out of the area, hoping the disappointment at Arthur's defeat did not show on his face, but if Gaius's reproachful look at him was an indication he had failed miserably.
Throughout the rest of the day Uther stayed in our chambers with Caylene and I, as he worked through his anger and embarrassment. Finally by the time we were ready to sleep he had calmed down considerably and we both went to bed knowing that we would have a long day the next day due to the piled up paperwork.
It was midday when Uther and I looked up as Arthur strode into the council chambers. Caylene was playing on a quilt set between our chairs, and now she seemed to be having a serious conversation with her doll, if the tone of her chatter was any indication. Arthur greeted Uther and I and seeing the that Uther was reading a letter he sat down next to Caylene and began to play with her.
After Uther had read the letter, he began to write his reply, as he acknowledged Arthur''s presence. Arthur stood up and took a deep breath before stating, "Morgause gave me another challenge in return for my life."
"What is to be the nature of this challenge?" Uther asked, keeping his head down as he worked on the letter, only looking up to cast an annoyed look at Arthur for accepting another challenge.
Arthur looked at me for help, and I merely gave him a tense smile, knowing that more than likely Uther would finish up his paperwork so he would not fall to far behind and then spend the rest of the day playing with Caylene as he worked on getting rid of his agitation with Arthur and his fury at Morgause. Arthur took another breath as he said, "She didn't say, but I gave her my word that I would accept it, no matter what."
"You should never have made such a promise. You don't know what she might ask of you," Uther stated glancing up at Arthur, before turning to look at me, his eyes begging me to help him out with this. I lifted my hands in surrender, and went back to my paperwork while keeping an ear on the conversation folding out around me.
"She had her sword to my chest. I had no choice, " Arthur said in exasperation. I heard sand being poured out and then Uther blowing the sand off of the paper before Arthur continued, "Morgause said that she knew my mother."
Uther and I both looked up. I knew my face was one of shock while Uther's showed his suspicion at the woman's claim. He looked at me, and I shook my head in bewilderment, before he turned back to Arthur, "She told you this?" We watched as Arthur nodded, Uther looked down at the floor before he pushed the chair away from the table. He stepped out carefully making sure not to step on Caylene or the toys strewn about his feet. His brow was furrowed with worry as he told Arthur, "Obviously, she's lying." He walked behind the throne and kept his back towards us, before bending down to pick up Caylene, who immediately cuddled up to him. "She's playing on your affections for your mother to lure you into a trap."
Arthur frowned at the thought, before shaking his head, "That makes no sense. She spared my life."
Uther turned back towards us, keeping his focus on Arthur, "It confirms my suspicions. I believe Morgause is an enchantress. How else could she have defeated you?"
I ducked my head to focus back on the paperwork and hide my eyes rolling in amusement at Uther's words. Sometimes he would defend women's abilities, like he did for Morgana and I when it came to Lord Weylan, and yet at other times he seemed to ignore it as well. I heard Arthur speak up, embarrassment flooding his voice, "I don't believe she was using magic."
I looked up at this, and turned to look at Uther's reaction to it, which appeared to be one of disapproval as his brow was furrowed and his hands were on his hips, "And you would know for certain if she were?" He finally went back to stand in front of his throne, readjusting Caylene into his right arm, as he ordered, "Under no circumstances will you go to meet her, or accept this challenge."
Arthur walked forward arguing, "I gave her my word."
"I don't care what was said to her! You will remain in Camelot," Uther growled, as he sat down hard.
"I want to hear what she knows about my mother," Arthur replied urgently as he moved towards Uther leaning over the table to get closer to him.
Uther leaned forward as well, he hissed through clenched teeth, "She knows nothing! She is lying." He leaned forward a bit more and once more ordered, "You will not go to her. I forbid it."
Arthur looked away from Uther, and I watched as his eyes closed as he attempted to rein in his emotions. When he finally looked back at Uther, he snapped, "So I am to break my word?"
Uther who had gone back to working on his paperwork, leaned forward once more and looked at the guards, refusing to answer Arthur, "Escort my son to his chambers." As they moved forward Arthur looked at Uther before looking at me, both of us exchanging looks of slight amusement and shock. Finally he looked back at Uther, who merely continued with his orders to the guards, "Under no circumstances will he be allowed to leave."
Finally Arthur was able to speak up, his shock at the situation plain in his voice and on his face, "You're confining me to my chambers?"
Uther looked back, and I realized all the patience he had held on to until now as he yelled, "I am protecting you from your own foolishness!" Caylene started sobbing at the sound of his raised voice, as the two guards surrounded Arthur and escorted him from the room.
I went to take Caylene, but Uther was all ready up and moving around, gently rocking her as he whispered his assurances that he was not angry at her and that he was sorry for scaring her. I watched for a few minutes, before tossing my quill down. When I caught his eyes, I finally spoke up, "It is understandable that Arthur would want to know his mother. You told me she died as soon as he was born. Of course he would want to know, especially since he says you never or rarely talk about her."
Uther sighed, as he moved back to me, placing a hand on my cheek, "I understand his curiosity when it comes to his mother, Anne. However, I cannot speak of Ygraine without feeling the pang of her loss once more." He grabbed his chair by the arm and tugged it to where I was sitting, and sat down, leaning toward me earnestly. "Ygraine was my first love, my first wife, the mother of one of my children. As much as I love you, a part of me will always love her as well, and that part still misses her from time to time, especially when Arthur does things that reminds me of her."
I smiled softly, as I placed my forehead against his, running my hands through Caylene's curls as she smiled as she sat between Uther and I, her gaze focusing on one before turning to the other. Finally I whispered, "I understand. But I also understand Arthur's wish to learn as much about his mother as he can. Surely you must have some information or stories about her that you could tell him, stories that would not be too painful to talk about."
Uther shook his head, refusing the suggestion as he moved his forehead onto Caylene's head and planted a kiss on the crown of her head. "No Anne, if he wants to learn anything about Ygraine he will have to ask someone else, I cannot relive those memories not even for Arthur."
"What if it was Caylene asking the same thing?" I asked softly, looking at my husband and daughter.
Uther looked up, panic in his eyes, "She will never have to ask me those questions. I will not allow it!" He reached behind my head and pulled me to within inches of his face, his eyes resolved as he gazed back into my eyes, as he promised, "Whatever I must do to ensure your safety and the safety of our family I will do it. No matter what the cost. Do you understand me?" I nodded softly, as I felt my eyes prick with the tears I felt at the sheer terror in his eyes at the thought of losing any member of his family.
He placed Caylene in my lap suddenly, and then pulled us both onto his, as he buried his face in my neck, fighting the tears and the emotions the conversation had brought up. His arms tightening around the both of us, as he lost the battle and cried over the fear of losing another loved one, and mourned the loss of Ygraine once more.
Uther groaned as a knocking sound was heard outside of his quarters. "What is it?" He barked, as he rubbed his the sleep from his face with both hands.
"Sire, I cannot find Merlin and Arthur," Gaius's voice penetrated the door urgently. Uther sat up straight, and flung off the bed covers, quickly changing into his clothes for the day. When he reached the door he flung it open, and Gaius backed up startled.
"Tell me what happened," he commanded, as he strode off in the direction of Arthur's rooms. As they walked Gaius explained that Merlin's bed had not been slept in and that he could not find them in the places they would usually be in at that time. As he reached Arthur's door, the guards flung it open for him, and he marched in without having to break his stride. With one quick glance around the room, Uther spotted the open window. Uther leaned over as his worry for his son punched him in the gut, while his anger at the idiots guarding the room rose.
He pivoted around, his eyes blazing with rage as he moved toward the guards. He snarled, "You've been guarding an empty room!" He looked between them before shoving one of them towards the door, with a loud command, "Send out a search party. Find Arthur and bring him back to Camelot." As the guards fled his presence, he turned back to the room, fighting to get his anger back under control. Finally he asked, "Do you have any idea what Morgause might want with Arthur?" He turned his head to look at Gaius.
The physician frowned before answering, "I'm afraid I don't." Uther nodded at his answer, before storming out of the room and toward the council chambers to get the work that had once more piled up on his desk from yesterday and today done, as well as the paperwork he had to finish still from the previous days he had not gotten all of his work done.
That night as he sat in dining hall alone, Anne and Caylene having gone to bed earlier. Anne feeling sick to her stomach due to her condition, and Caylene having gone to bed early after throwing a huge fit and screaming "no" at Anne several times. Morgana had been working on some correspondence with friends and had all ready eaten by the time he had finished his paperwork. The silence of the hall, however was interrupted when the door opened and Gaius walked in.
As he bowed, Uther went back to eating his meal, his ears waiting for what the man had to say, soon enough he heard Gaius's voice, "My Lord, I must speak with you." Uther looked up at him, giving the physician his full attention. "It concerns Morgause," Gaiuse stated as he moved closer to Uther, and Uther knew he was trying to keep anyone outside of the doors from hearing their conversation. Gaius continued, "While I was treating her wound, I noticed that she wore a bracelet."
Uther frowned, trying to figure out what would be so noticeable about the jewelry and hoping that it would point towards one the houses of Camelot so he could send them a scathing rebuke at their daughter's actions. "Go on."
"It bore the mark of one of the great houses, the great house of Gorlois," Gaius said gravely, and Uther who had been about to drink his wine pulled it away from his lips, as Gaius went on, "There is only one person other than Morgana who would have cause to wear such a bracelet." Uther felt fear crawl up his throat and he fought it down, as he also set down his goblet worried about what this could mean for Morgana and for his family as a whole. He waited hoping Gaius would not confirm his suspicion and nearly growled when his hopes were dashed at Gaius's quiet words, "That is her half-sister."
Uther felt his lips purse in anger as he said tersely, "I was led to believe that the child had died."
Gaius turned away from Uther as he answered, "The child lived, my lord." Uther felt his shock and fear at that answer run through him, and he stood up feeling his anger at being lied to flare up. Gaius explained, "She was smuggled out of Camelot shortly after her birth."
Uther fought his panic as he asked, annoyed at the breathlessness in his voice, "How do you know this?"
"It was I who entrusted the child to the high priestesses of the Old Religion," Gaius confessed.
Uther threw the napkin he had ignored down, and stalked toward Gaius, "You should have told me, Gaius."
Gaius finally turned toward him, having heard the undercurrent tone of Uther's feeling of betrayal in his voice, and admitted, "I had sworn a solemn oath, my lord." Uther moved toward him, his anger at the betrayal of his friend written across his face, as he fought from shaking the man until his teeth rattled. "I am only breaking it now because I fear what Morgause might do."
"Does Morgana now?" Uther asked, his gaze focused on Gaius and searching it for any sign of betrayal.
"I don't believe so," Gaius denied, as he shook his head.
Uther nodded as he started to walk back to his seat and his meal, his relief at that unseen luck spreading throughout him and calming him down, "Morgana must never find out she has a half-sister." He looked back at Gaius, and explained, "I will not have her loyalties divided."
"Of course. The high priestesses will have trained Morgause from birth," Gaius reminded him, and new worries for Arthur began to grow within Uther as that warning stopped him in his tracks. "Her magic will be powerful."
Uther looked over his shoulder at his friend, allowing his anger at this revelation of Gaius's long-held lie and secret slipping into his voice, "Then we must hope the search party finds Arthur before he reaches her." As Gaius bowed and left the room, Uther sat down to finish his meal.
However he immediately shoved it away and stood up, heading for his rooms as he was no longer able to eat due to his increased worry for Arthur. When he had changed and gotten in bed, he fought to sleep but the worry kept him up until he finally fell into a fitful sleep.
I smiled in relief as I walked out of the stables a couple of days after Arthur had gone missing as I watched Arthur charge up the stairs. As I moved toward the castle, I noticed Gaius and Merlin exchanging what looked like tense words with each other before Merlin followed Arthur into the castle at a jog. As I reached Gaius, I placed my hand on his arm and tilted my head to where Arthur and Merlin had disappeared into the castle, "What's wrong with them, Gaius?"
"Apparently Morgause told Arthur some alarming things," he answered, before heading out with a little boy from the village. I looked back at the guards and moved as quickly as I could toward the council chambers knowing that Leon and Uther had been discussing the search for Arthur there the last time I had seen Uther.
Uther looked at Arthur worriedly as his son ground out, "I know what you did to my mother."
Uther sighed, knowing he had no other choice but to discuss this with Arthur now, he barely acknowledged Leon with a command to leave and keep every out before he answered his son, "What are you talking about?"
"You were so desperate for an heir, you were prepared to us magic."
Uther straightened himself, "Did Morguase tell you this? She's lying."
"My mother is dead because of your selfishness and arrogance," Arthur accused him, and Uther felt his head raise in defiance of the accusation and his son's tone. "Her blood is on your hands."
"No. That's not true. But Morgause would have you believe that."
"This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them."
Uther walked towards his son, hoping to reason with him, "You would believe a sorcerer's lies over the word of your father? I can only think that Morgause has enchanted you."
"You have hunted her kind like animals! How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?" Arthur hissed at him.
Uther's control slipped, and he growled, "Those who practice magic will stop at nothing to destroy us. I have only done what is necessary to protect this kingdom. Our family."
"You speak of honor and nobility," Arthur spat out the words before raising his voice and yelling, "You are nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!"
Uther's rage snapped and he allowed it to show, "I am your king and you father, and you will show my some respect!" His voice was tight ending in a growl as he jabbed a finger in Arthur's direction. Arthur walked towards him and threw his gauntlet down, and Uther felt his body run cold at the shock this action caused him. He finally whispered, his voice filled with the horror of what his son had just done, "Have you lost your mind?"
"Pick it up," was the only reply Arthur gave.
"Arthur, I implore you. Think about what you are doing."
"Pick...it up!" Arthur said his voice dead.
"I will not fight you," Uther told him, fighting down the grief he felt at his son's hatred of him.
He watched as Arthur unsheathed his sword and told him, "If you choose not to defend yourself, I will strike you down where you stand."
Uther straightened up in his confidence of his son's nobility, "You are my son. You will not strike an unarmed man."
"I no longer think of myself as your son."
"Then strike me down," Uther replied sure that he was calling Arthur's bluff. Suddenly, Arthur's sword swung out, and Uther unsheathed his own barely blocking the blow that would have otherwise cut off his head. He knew his shock at Arthur's reaction and his near death showed on his face but at the moment he could not have cared less. He pulled back his sword and backed away from Arthur. "I don't want to fight you," he told Arthur, as he backed away, only for Arthur to lunge forward and attack him.
Uther knew that Arthur was younger, stronger, and as good as he was, if not better, with a sword and he knew his fear of Arthur's abilities were coupled with his shock and anger at Arthur's actions and fury. He pleaded, "Arthur, stop this!" He moved around the throne using it as an impromptu shield between him and the younger man. He swung his sword forward forcing Arthur to back up, and he backed up as well bringing his defenses back up as he watched Arthur resume position. He moved in the direction he was sure the door was as they were now on the other side of the table from where the fight had started, all he could hope was that he could get to the door in enough time to get Leon in here and helping to subdue Arthur until he had regained his mind.
Arthur walked forward slowly, and then lunged, Uther ducked under the blade as he heard it sing over his head as it sliced through the air before hitting the pillar behind him. He flipped out of Arthur's path and rose up to full height behind his son, only for Arthur to turn around quickly. Arthur lunged and began backing him up until his sword flew out of his hand and across the table beyond his reach. He stumbled backwards when Arthur shoved him, and landed hard on his throne and he stared down the blade at Arthur's enraged face and his trembling hand that was barely keeping the sword from sliding through Uther's chest and killing him.
Uther looked into his son's eyes, fear flooding him as he realized he was about to die at the hands of his son, when the doors banged open and he caught a glimpse of Merlin running forward, while Leon halted just inside the doors. A few seconds later, he nearly sighed with relief when he heard Merlin yell, "Arthur! Don't! I know you don't want to do this."
"My mother is dead because of him!" Arthur argued in response.
"Killing your father won't bring her back. You've lost one parent, do you really want to lose another?"
"Listen to him, Arthur," Uther blurted out and then wished he had not as Arthur's grip tightened on his shirt and the sword came closer to his body.
"You heard what my mother said. After," his voice which had slowly rose in volume suddenly became a yell of pain filled rage, "everything that he has done, do you believe he deserves to live? He executed those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself. You have caused so much suffering and pain. I will put an end to it." Arthur said, and moved to drive the sword home.
Uther heard a shriek of "No! Please, Arthur, don't!" and saw Anne standing behind Merlin, the boy having blocked her from reaching him and Gaius holding onto her arms as she fought to get to his side. He felt his heart shatter as he knew that his expecting wife was about to watch his murder at the hand of his son.
He felt the hand on his shirt loosen up a bit at Anne's scream, but then it tightened once more. "You care more for Anne than for my mother. You did everything in your power to gain a son not caring that you killed my mother in your quest for an heir, but with Anne you do everything in your power to protect her from anything that could harm her, no matter how small. I will make you pay for that insult. I will make you pay for everything she said you did." Arthur hissed at him.
"Morgause is lying." Merlin stated, and he heard the boy take a deep breath as he reined in his tears, "She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. It was an illusion." Uther noticed Arthur blinking in confusion, and silently cheered on Merlin, while he longed to reassure Anne, whose sobs he could hear from the other end of the room where Gaius was trying to console her. He heard Merlin continue, "Everything, everything your mother said to you, those were Morgause's words."
"You don't know that!" Arthur yelled, raising his sword which had dropped during Merlin's explanation rose once more.
Merlin seemed to finally get annoyed with Arthur's stubbornness as he yelled, "This has been her plan all along, to turn you against you father. And if you kill him, the kingdom will be destroyed. This is what she wants." Uther breathed a soft sigh of relief as Arthur began to lower his sword.
Uther felt his heart swell with pity for the confusion he was sure his son felt, "Listen to him. He's speaking the truth." He watched as Arthur raised his sword again, and fought down a sigh of exasperation this time.
"Swear to me it isn't true," Arthur yelled. "You are not responsible for my mother's death. Give me your word!"
"I swear on my life. I loved you mother." Uther felt the pain of Ygraine's loss and the pain his son was going through now because of it feed into his already emotionally raw nerves and his voice quivered as he fought back his tears, "There isn't a day that passes that I don't wish she was still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her. I would have protected her as much as I have protected Anne if I had known what was going to happen to her."
Arthur lowered his sword, and Uther watched as a tear slipped out of his eye and fell down his face. Finally, the sword dropped to the floor as Arthur dropped to his knees next to the throne. Uther sighed once more taking in his first full breath since this whole thing had started as he reached over to give his son a one-armed hug, as Arthur leaned his forehead against Uther's forearm. He leaned down and whispered, "My son. You mean more to me than anything."
He listened as Arthur gasped out, "I'm sorry..." Uther shut his eyes against his tears as he listened to Arthur continue to apologize.
He finally whispered, "You are not to blame." He opened his eyes and bent lower so that he could kiss the crown of Arthur's head, much as he did when Arthur was little and just as he did with Caylene now. He felt his jaw clenching as he worked on getting full control over his emotions once more, as he listened to his son and his wife's sniffling.
I watched as Arthur finally got off of his knees and then turned around heading for the main doors his eyes lowered so that no one would see his red, watery eyes. As he reached me, he looked up and murmured, "I am sorry about what I said about you and Caylene, Anne, I meant none of that."
"Yes, you did." I replied softly, and his eyes widened in shock, "In your moment of anger, you allowed your feelings to come out, however I know that they were added to by Morgause's lies so I won't pin all of what you said on your real feelings alone." I looked from Uther to Arthur, and then smiled at him, "I do understand and I forgive you for any hurt you may have caused or you feel you have caused."
Arthur gave me a shaky smile, before wrapping his arms around me, as he muttered, "I truly do care about and love you and Caylene, and I am glad Father has you. I just miss my mother sometimes."
"I know." I pulled away and held onto his forearms as I locked gazes with him, "I would hope that Caylene and this little one would miss me as much as you do Ygraine, as much as Uther still misses her."
He looked back at his father and then back at me, worry growing in his eyes. For a minute I looked at him puzzled and then realized what he must be thinking, "Don't worry I am not jealous of her or angry at him for missing her. He loved her and still does, and I wouldn't want to change that for the world." Arthur kissed my forehead as he whispered his thanks for my acceptance of his mother, before he strode out of the room, Merlin following him.
As soon as the door shut behind Gaius and Leon as well, I looked up and stared at Uther, who stood up and walked around the table before extending his arms toward me. I did not need a second invitation and waddled as quickly as I could to him. As he wrapped me in his arms and whispered reassuringly, I started sobbing into his shirt as he stood there and worked on calming me down.
Uther looked down at the book in his hands, the pages flipping in front of his vision as he thought back to the day before. The emotional upheaval had been so huge that everyone had been in bed and asleep soon after dinner had ended. Arthur had remained in his rooms as had Morgana, so Uther had had dinner in his rooms with Caylene and Anne.
After he had discussed the fight with Arthur with Anne, and she had accepted, after his reassurances, that what Morgause had said about his causing Ygraine's death was untrue they had settled down for a quiet evening with Caylene. However as soon as dinner was done they both dropped into bed and were quickly asleep from the emotional and mental fatigue the day had caused both of them.
He heard the door open behind him, and turned to see Merlin walk in, depositing Gaius's medicine bag on a table. He watched as the boy finally noticed him and his eyes widened in shock. Uther shut the book and dropped it on the table as he turned his attention to the lad, who bowed in acknowledgment. When he straightened up Uther spoke, "I wanted to thank you in person for your actions yesterday. You are a loyal servant to Arthur. I am most grateful."
Merlin had dropped his head in acknowledgment of the thanks, and he kept it there as he replied, "I was just doing my duty."
"You have proven yourself to be a trusted ally in the fight against magic."
Merlin looked up as he said this, and said incredulously, "Me?"
Uther walked towards him, before stopping a few feet away from him, "Those who practise magic will seek to exploit Arthur's inexperience. They will attempt to corrupt him. You must be extra vigilant."
"I'll keep my eyes peeled," Merlin promised.
Uther smiled at the boy's words, "I know you will." He headed for the door and another day of paperwork as he said, "If you ever speak of what happened between myself and Arthur to another living soul, I will have you hanged." He turned to look at the boy warningly.
"Right. Of course," Merlin reassured him quickly. He bowed his head, "Yes, my lord." Uther nodded in satisfaction before opening the door and heading out of the room and in the direction of the council chambers.
Anyone notice anything wrong with this let me know, I am not used to the current keyboard and the writing program I am using on the computer sucks, and that's putting it nicely. Any other questions, or comments let me know as well as I am always interested to know what those reading my story think of it and why.
Update: I believe I have caught all the problems, thanks to those letting me know about the ones they caught I truly appreciate it, but if anyone else notices give me a heads up and I'll fix it.
