Prologue
In the days of the old religion there were always two sides to one soul. The darkness to the light, the courage to the fear and the honest to the liar. It was the way the world had been spun and the way balance had been created. For if this were to become undone then the old ways would crumble, and the new world bring a dark devastating power onto the land that none had seen before. This prophesised power would bring unkempt and unwavering death on all those who set eyes on it. Sweeping aside what was to be created and cast what should never be.
To quell this fear a new prophecy and time was created. Another shared soul was cast into the light and a new coin was created. One destined to submerge and repress this darkness and save the fate of Albion. Two sides to the same soul that only when they come together can they create the world the likes have been waiting for. A powerful warlock with the magic to destroy or create humanity and the Once and Future King with the strength and courage to start and end wars.
The funny thing with prophecies is that most of their meanings are up for interpretation, the main information is there but how and the whys are left out. The little details that could be the make or break is up to all those that are involved and those that make themselves involved. One little change or mistake could be the undoing of everything.
Screaming, crying, and shouting. Shouts, bells, and footsteps. The castle was alive with a cacophony of noise echoing throughout their usually quiet halls this time of morning. A thin veil of sunlight was starting to break through the thick darkness of night. Not enough light to see by but enough to herald in the breaking of a new day. Candles flickered upon the castle walls, their shadows dancing on the stone and creating a new image with every movement. The Guards standing by seemed entranced though this was most likely just an illusion. Wanting to ignore the noises coming from the royal bedroom. Neither of the pair said a word, their hands clasping onto their spears with a white knuckled grip. Their shoulders were tense and their backs straight bracing themselves for the moment they had all been waiting for.
The screaming started to become drowned out by a sharp cry. This one higher in pitch and longer than the previous. One, two and three. One, two and three. A pattern of cries that echoed throughout the whole castle. As one the guards released the breathes, they had been holding. Their eyes locked onto one another and slowly they nodded. The grasp they had on their weapons loosened, the guard on the right allowing a bright smile to cross over their lips. Their eyes connecting with a frantic servant hurrying down the hall. In her hands cloths were bundled tightly and behind her another servant carried a fresh bucket of water. In sync the guards moved their weapons and stepped aside to allow the two women entrance. The bedroom door opened, and the crying increased in volume along with a pained shout.
"No!" a harsh call echoed out as the door closed smothering the last of their words. "No, no, no," the words were muffled but the frantic nature could be determined. The guards stiffened hearing that the previous crying had stopped abruptly. "Do something!" a sharp command called out through the cracks, a voice that no one could refuse. "NOW!" the shout caused the guards to jump slightly. They turned to look at one another wanting to find out what was happening but also not wanting to lose their heads at the interruption. The previous elation causing their hearts to plummet into the pit of their stomachs knowing that something had gone wrong.
He peered down at the small bundle being presented to him. His arms were shaking where they were wrapped around the still form pressed against his chest, not wanting to let go. He shook his head, burying his chin into the soft golden locks ignoring the sweat that was dripping off the ends. He breathed in their scent trying to commit it to memory for soon that was all he was going to have left. "No," he whispered his voice barely more than a breath. His right hand lifted to card through their hair, stroking their cheeks ignoring the coldness that was starting to settle over their body. He could feel the blood starting to soak into the sheets and in turn onto his own tunic, but he did not care. His own heart felt heavy like a solid block of stone, to never feel anything again for anyone, not if this was the pain he had to expect.
"Sire," a soft voice called out to him, but he still did not respond. "Sire," they repeated but still he did not acknowledge them. He had no idea how long he had sat there; he could not have even told you if anyone had left or entered the room that was how detached he felt. His arms were becoming as numb as his heart, but he still held firm. This was meant to be the happiest day of their lives. This was a moment they had longed for, for years but were denied many a times. Until they had become desperate, desperate enough to make the mistake that cost him everything. If he had known…
Growling he lifted his head up, his eyes locking onto the concerned ones of one of his oldest and most trusted friends. "Bring her to me," he spat out feeling the hate and anger coursing swiftly through his veins. All the love and happiness he had once felt sapped out of him the moment he had felt their last breath. This was all her fault. She had done this.
"Sire."
"Now Gaius," he spat out the venom lacing his every word. He waited a beat to see the other man's small nod and bow before he turned on his heels and exited the room, leaving him alone with the figure still in his arms.
"I'm sorry my love," he whispered stroking his hand across their cheek once more. Leaning down he placed his lips against their cold ones and savoured the last kiss. "I promise they will pay," he hissed pulling away from the woman he loved more than life itself. "Ygraine, while there is breath in my body, I will make them all pay," he decreed pushing away from the bed and slowly lowering his wife down. He brushed his fingers through her hair and framed it around her face. Lovingly he moved her hands so that they clasped around her still swollen stomach, though where the child was, he had not a clue. Ignoring the blood, he straightened out her nightdress, mentally preparing the outfit she was going to lie in state in. A beautiful red gown fit for a queen, she always looked gorgeous in the Pendragon red.
There was a sharp knock on the chamber door before it was pulled open. Straightening to his full height he brushed away any evidence of tears and closed off his emotions. He was not going to be caught out again. Turning on his heels, his cloak swishing behind him his angry gaze peered down at the woman brought before him. Her arms were held tightly in two Guards grasp and behind her Gaius hovered. His mouth opened a few times like he wanted to say something, but he merely shook his head instead.
"Nimeuh," he growled out the name his hands tightening into fists at his side. "You done this," he spat out the hatred pouring out of him in waves.
"Uther…"
"IT'S SIRE TO YOU!" He shouted out stalking forward and grasping the woman by the front of her dress. Pulling her close to him and ignoring the fierce shaking of her body. "You killed your Queen."
"No Sire," Nimeuh replied to her voice not showing any indication of her physical fear. "Ygraine…"
"YOU DO NOT GET TO SAY HER NAME!" His words spat into her face ignoring Gaius's stern expression or the Guards that had inched closer not seeming to know what to do. "You killed her and for that you must pay."
"You do not understand, for a life to be created a life must be taken. It is the balance that magic requires."
"Then we should have never made this deal," he replied throwing the woman to the floor not caring that her head struck the side of the bed post. He would not care about anything ever again. He was the King, and everyone was going to know that. "You have committed treason."
"Uther no."
"For that I sentence you to die," he nodded at the Guards who instantly grabbed hold of Nimeuh forcing her to her feet. Blood dripped down her forehead and tears rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes were flashing from gold to blue and back again like she did not know what she wanted to do. "There is no place for magic in my kingdom." Behind him Gaius sucked in a sharp breath but still he did not say anything. "From this day anyone caught practicing magic will be sentenced to death for treason. Magic killed the Queen. Magic is the ultimate evil."
"You will regret this Uther," Nimeuh seethed her eyes flashing gold completely. Immediately the guards holding her went flying into the nearest wall knocking them unconscious. "I done everything you have ever asked of me," her nostrils flared in anger. "I will take everything away from you."
"You already have," he indicated down to his wife. "I have nothing left to care about."
"Your son…"
"He is a creature of magic," he scoffed. "I have no son."
"Sire!" Gaius breathed out incredulously. "Ygraine gave herself to give him life."
"Exactly, that child killed her. I should have him killed…"
"You are a monster Uther Pendragon," Nimeuh spat out her hands clasping together. A wind started to pick up in the middle of the chambers, gushing around her feet and reaching up her body obscuring her from view. "I will destroy you," her disembodied voice called out before the wind died down to nothing, where she once stood all that was left was a single droplet of blood.
He scrubbed a hand across his face stifling the feeling of dread that was beginning to wash over him. He would not let his emotions get in the way anymore. Now he knew what true evil was. Magic and all those that practiced it or worshipped it. They were all going to suffer the same way he did. "The child is a part of Ygraine, the last I have of her and that is the only reason I shall allow him to live," he turned his attention to his friend. "See that he gets looked after, I do not want to hear of him," with those words he shot Ygraine once last fleeting look. Letting out a shaky breath he turned on his heels and strode purposely out of the chambers. Walking away from the man he had once been.
Gaius held the bundle tight to his chest, the wet nurses fussed around him making sure that the young Prince had everything he was going to need. Only a couple of hours old and he had everyone falling over him. How much the child had changed life without knowing or being aware.
Bright blue eyes peered up at Gaius, a small gurgle escaping the prince's lips, not quite a cry but threatening. "Ssh," Gaius soothed running a finger down his cheek. The baby beginning to settle at the small touch. "It will be alright Sire," he hushed bouncing his arms slightly to begin a rocking motion. "I cannot promise life will be kind or easy," he whispered ignoring the looks the women around him were shooting his way. "I will do what I can for you," the baby gurgled once more his eyes fluttering closed, Ygraine's eyes. Bright blue eyes and blond hair, the young Prince was going to be the spitting image of his mother, oh how that was going to make his life harder. Gaius could see it now; the prince being ignored and unloved because he was a reminder to the King of the woman he had lost. Gaius had seen the King's heart harden right in front of him. He had not even acknowledged his own son's existence apart from the threat to kill him.
"He hasn't a name," one of the wet nurses called out breaking through the moment. She leant down towards the prince, her own hand carding through the small amount of blonde hair that littered his head. A soft smile was present on her face and Gaius knew the prince might not be loved by his father, but he would be by his people. "I would ask the King…" her voice trailed off unsure. It would not be long until the population would hear of the new decree, of the madness of their King.
Gaius was concerned for his own life but that did not matter to him as much as the princes now.
"Arthur," a stern voice called from the doorway causing all their attention to turn towards the newcomer. Gaius held the breath that caught in his throat. Uther glared down at the baby in Gaius's arms, his hands twisted together in front of him, his body was partly turned towards the hallway while his feet were planted firmly in the princes' chambers. He looked conflicted. Shaking his head this moment passed and he turned his gaze away, the glassy look in his eyes being stifled immediately. "Arthur Pendragon." With those words he walked away not once reaching out to his child.
