Quick thanks to Jessica for helping me with the mam, mom, mum question. Although I might not get back to change it in previous chapters, it was decided that Merlin would have probably referred to his mother as 'mam' not 'mum'.
"You have until the spring thaw to change your tune, Lassie. I'll give ya that much since the lord o' the keep isn't around. But you best watch your step, it'd be wise not to make the dragon your enemy."
Those were Maelgwn's parting words as Morgana and Vivienne left his castle. The storm was raging, but the raven-haired vixen would rather face the wind and sleet than the tempest brewing inside her as she tried to play nice in Maelgwn's court. Dragon indeed!
"There is a monastery just south of here, perhaps we can take refuge at," Vivienne suggested.
Morgana groaned, "Not anymore." Her mother raised an eyebrow, imploring her to explain. "I kind of burnt it down last summer, ok?"
"That seems to be a skill of yours. Burning things, like bridges with people who care about you or could help you."
"Thank you mother, I'm so glad I have you to bring that to my attention," She rolled her eyes and they plodded on in the weather, searching for shelter.
(*~*~*~*)
After nearly two days the storm finally broke and they found themselves almost back to the keep. Soaked through to the bone, Morgana was almost at her wits end with Vivienne trying to offer a motherly council. Logically she understood why the woman had not been around during her childhood, however it was getting on her nerves the way she seemed to be trying to make up for it now when Morgana was thirty-two years old. Maelgwn's constant commentary during the visit on how she was ending up an old spinster didn't help her mood.
She could almost picture the warm fire and dry clothing that awaited her in the small fort. The King of the Isle of Mona had the resources to attack at any time, even with the winter. He thought that by giving her the chance to sit and fear him throughout the season she might change her mind and consent to marrying him, or being his mistress. He didn't seem to realize she was the one who had led the Saxon armies against the forces of Lothian and Camelot. But then again, she knew she looked different than what the rumors described of the last High Priestess. Only those that were close in proximity to her while she terrorized the country side and brought about war would be able to possibly recognize her now, and nearly every one of them was dead.
Just as they began the ascent up the hill to the fort, Morgana felt a voice in her head that she didn't recognize.
"Morgana," It said in a deep melodic voice, each syllable annunciated at a slightly different pitch. Its magical bearing resonated inside of her.
"You go on up the hill," She told her mother, turning her own horse around, "I'll be back in a little while."
She didn't give Vivienne a chance to respond before she took off at a fast pace, following the essence of the voice in her mind. Morgana was a bit stunned when it lead her to the meadow where she knew Merlin used to meet the Red Dragon and there stood the large dragon that was once held under Camelot. She looked around worried, wondering why this beast would show up without the warlock, unless it meant Merlin was in trouble. "You must be Kilgharrah," She said hesitantly, not quite sure of how to approach the creature who had on many occasions counseled Merlin to finish her off.
"I am, but do not fret, I am not here to put an end to you. Merlin's faith pulled you out of the darkness that even I could not see through."
Morgana released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding, "Is he alright?"
Kilgharrah chuckled, "He was when I last saw him, well healed from his last visit."
She waited for the dragon to continue and felt herself growing restless as the moments passed and he just stared at her with a smile on his large face. Up until this moment she always thought Merlin must have been exaggerating when he spoke of how annoying Kilgharrah was. Now she felt herself growing impatient, "So did you just call me out here to tell me that?"
"No, Merlin sent me with a very fragile package he wishes for you to take care of," Once again the dragon didn't elaborate. He sat there looking down on her with his secretive grin.
Hot emotions were beginning to rise within her, "Well, where is it?"
The dragon moved to the side and Morgana gasped when she saw a small pale girl wrapped in a red cloak. "He wants me to take care of a child?" He must have hit his head if he thought for one second she would have any clue on how to take care of child. "What am I supposed to know about raising children?"
She noticed the girl shudder slightly and immediately Morgana regretted the harshness of her words. Kilgharrah chuckled softly, "This is no ordinary child, take a closer look and you will see."
The former priestess stepped towards the frail girl tentatively. Nearly white hair was a mess; knotted and twisted in long frazzled strands, possibly from the wind during the flight. Morgana could barely see a face underneath it all. As she neared, the girl looked up and through the strands she caught sight of the vivid blue eyes. Morgana felt the blood drain from her face looking into those eyes she knew too well. The only eyes she had seen for nearly two years while confined in a dark vile hole. Finally finding her voice she whispered uncertainly, "Aithusa?"
The girl nodded slightly and began to cry. Silent tears were streaming down and leaving trails on her dirty face. Morgana almost tripped as she ran to the girl and swept her up, her own eyes filled with tears of elation.
The larger dragon stepped away and made himself ready to leave, "Oh and Merlin asked that I pass on a message to you, be careful not to anger the other dragon."
Morgana let out a guffaw, "Too late for that, I'm afraid."
Kilgharrah glanced one more time at her curiously and then seemed to decide he didn't want to know more, "Take care of Aithusa, she has seen many things for one so young and will require a tender hand to lead her out of the depths of her own mind." With that he lifted into the air, careful to not buffet the woman and child too much.
(*~*~*~*)
A distinct feeling of déjà vu came over him as he entered the courtyard. People were gathered and packed in shoulder to shoulder. Tyr met him just outside the main portcullis to take his horse. "What's happening?"
"Sentencing has been passed on some nobles for treason," The round man stated weakly. "Where's that little girl of yours?"
Merlin flinched as he heard the drums begin to beat out the death cadence. He wondered if it was wise of him to stop at the lake for a day after he sent Aithusa off. He spend the time at the lakeshore in quiet contemplation of the vision he received, and yet found himself no closer to an answer, but a strange sense of peace allowed him to move forward. "She's with… with her mam," he couldn't help the tiny bit of a smile as he said it. A screaming woman from the crowd quickly diminished his mood. "Which ones?" he asked, indicating the proceedings.
"Lord Fenrir, Lord Edmund and his wife, as well as a couple of their servants and Sir William are all out there today. A few others have been stripped of titles. Lady Thea's one of those, and she's been sentenced to the dungeons."
"What about her husband?" Merlin thought it odd that her husband Lord Gavin wouldn't be among the accused.
"Supposedly, I heard she begged for him, swears he wasn't involved at all," The portly stable hand shrugged and sighed. "Almost reminds me of King Uther's days, but I guess it's something that has to be done."
Merlin nodded as he heard the axe fall again to the screams of the crowd. He was glad he wasn't in there to watch it. The warlock felt something deep inside him stir, although he couldn't put his finger on what it was. He abhorred the idea of execution, but he knew it was part of life and essential to keep the kingdom safe. For so long Arthur turned his back to all but the worst of crimes, allowing others to deal out what punishment they felt best. It was a day to be marked that the king began He turned and walked away from the crowd, heading to one of the side entrances of the castle. Just because he understood its necessity did not mean he had to witness it.
Starbolt- I didn't break her! just chipped... nothing superglue can't fix... XD (or I could use my kid's excuse: Scooby did it!)
Jessica- cookies... hmm that might be a bit more tempting LOL
Caldera32- hehe I had to do it.
Megami- *pats* there there it'll be alright
Aerist- hmm guess that answer will have to wait for another chapter ;)
Nance- Thanks for the ideas! I'll go back and look them over. And yep, now I just need to bide my time until I can put my plan into action hehe
Icarus- intervention will be coming soon hopefully, but probably not in the manner you think.
Until next time, my review addicted muses thank you! ; -)
