Chapter 52

Aria

'Good morning, Mordred.' I greeted sleepily, opening my eyes to the night sky and a warm fire crackling before me.

The ropes around my wrists and ankles were loose and a blanket had been thrown over me to keep me from the cold. I smiled to myself as the little boy turned to the sound of my voice. I told Merlin he wasn't cruel. And when I get home I'd say I told him so, I thought gleefully. He sat down on the other side of the fire and watched me wiggle into a sitting position, using my shoulder to shift upwards. I leaned back against the rock so I wouldn't fall over.

'It's night time.' He corrected me in a wary voice.

'I said that before I opened my eyes.' I admitted sheepishly.

'Who are you?' he questioned instantly, his big blue eyes searching.

'My name is Aria. I've come to give you answers.' I explained kindly.

'What are you?' He asked, a bit scared.

'I'm a seer.' I said, not mentioning the star bit for now. I'd ease that in later.

'Do you have magic?' he asked cautiously, putting a rabbit on the fire for dinner I assumed.

'Yes.' I said a bit hesitantly, wondering how he would take it if he knew these ropes couldn't hold me.

'Don't worry!' He said quickly. 'I'm not going to hurt you. I have magic too.' He said with a small smile.

'I know. You're a very gifted boy. Gifted with an unfortunate destiny.' I hinted softly, looking up to the stars. I wonder if my sisters up there were watching me now, changing destinies with the knowledge of the elementals.

'What do you mean?' He asked, eyes wide and pleading for me to say more.

'I mean, I know about what happened with you and Emrys.' I said with a sad smile. He started back a bit and I wondered if he was very afraid of me.

'He helped me once. And then, he tried to get me killed. I don't know why he would betray me but he did.' Mordred said with a voice full of hurt and betrayal. This was what would cause him to try for Arthur's life. He'd get revenge on Merlin by making him fail in his destiny.

'I know why. Would you like to know?' I asked, leaning over the warm flames. I knew no matter how close I went, I would not be burned. Flames could not harm me.

'Yes.' He whispered, leaning forward too. He had such an innocent face. The face of a little boy. But there was pain in those young eyes.

'It has to do with your destiny. Your destiny… is to kill the Once and Future King… Prince Arthur.' I said, trying with all my might to soften the blow. It didn't work, of course.

'No! NO! I wouldn't do that! I won't!' He protested stubbornly, eyes flashing gold with a moment of uncontrolled emotion. My eyes flashed too, if only to quell his magic a little.

'Calm, Mordred. Calm.' I soothed gently. 'No one can escape destiny but you can alter it.' I said, offering him the way out. I knew he'd take it. He would try to change his destiny. I just hoped he had the determination to succeed. But he didn't take the bait.

'Why didn't he tell me? I have never sought to kill the Once and Future King!' He ranted, eyes blazing with anger, his innocent face twisted with fury. Time for the truth.

'His actions set your destiny in motion.' I admitted, distracting him while I undid the ropes binding my wrists and ankles with a flash of gold eyes.

'Then it's his fault!' Mordred screamed, losing his temper. My mind yelled at me to fix the situation fast before it was unsalvageable.

'Don't blame him.' I snapped to bring his attention back to me. 'He received some bad advice.'

'You're free.' He gasped noticing my unbound wrists and ankles. I ignored this. I wasn't going to hurt him. He would see that soon enough.

'This is why a person should only know his or her destiny at a specific time in very specific circumstances and the news should be delivered by one such as I, who actually knows everything about it instead of only bits and pieces of the story.' I ranted as I stood up, stretching my limbs. Mordred watched me with fear filled eyes.

'I don't understand.' Mordred said, bottom lip quivering. It was a heartbreaking sight. I sighed.

'I can explain everything but you must promise not to run away. I am not here to harm you after all.' I bargained, watching the suddenly short looking boy.

'Okay.' He agreed, sitting down with his knees tucked to his chest.

'I'm not only a seer, I am a star. That's why I know about destinies. Truth be told, I'm not completely a star because I fell but that's what I mostly am now. The other parts of me include wings.' I rambled on, seating myself opposite of Mordred, crossing my legs like I do when I sit beside Uther on the floor.

'Wings?' Mordred asked, curious yet skeptical at the same time. I raised my brow at him.

'Yes, like this.' I said, demonstrating by removing the concealing spell. My dark wings appeared on either side of me. I stretched them out wide, unfurling them properly so he could get a good look. And I'm sure he did… the size of his eyes certainly suggest so.

'I won't run.' He squeaked out, gripping his clothes tightly. I don't know if he was assuring me or if he was strengthening his resolve to not flee.

'You should also know that I am the kind of seer that can feel what you're feeling in the visions I receive, so I know how scared you are and how hurt and betrayed you feel with what has happened and the situation now. I know that you were so alone.' I said sympathetically, my heart stuttering as I recalled those terrible lingering feelings.

'You're not alone anymore. I can show you a way to change your destiny. But we both have to try hard.' I insisted, continuing with my explanations. I just hoped and hoped that this would work because though I could understand it, I didn't want this boy's blood on Merlin's hands. Or even worse… mine.