Author's Notes: You may have read a story called Mother and Father by starseeker about the idea of....What if Morgaine had told author about Mordred much earlier. This story also revolves around that idea, however I already know that it will be much different. Actually, the only thing that will probaly be the same is that Morgaine raises Mordred herself. If you have seen the movie you will recognize the first scene as being rather similar to the scene of Arthur's corination.
Disclaimer: The Mists of Avalon belongs to Marion Zimmer Bradley and various publishers. The Legend of King Arthur and the knights of the round table is in the public domain.
Cloaks of Darkness: By: Michaela90
Chapter One: By the Goddess, Tonight
"Sister," Arthur said, pushing several golden curls away from his eye, "You must swear to speak of this to no one until I make the announcement myself, but do you see that woman down there?"
I smiled at him and nodded happily, "Yes I do, she is very beautiful."
"She is indeed." Replied Arthur but his tone was somewhat dry, as if he cared little for the beauty of young princesses.
"And what about her brother? What's so important about her that I am sworn to secrecy to know?" I said teasingly.
With renewed vigor, Arthur cried, "She is to be my bride!"
I tore my eyes away from the fair creature below me and caught Arthur's eye, I opened my mouth to congratulate him but found that different words sprung from my mouth. "Do you love her Arthur?"
He tore his blue eyes away from my brown, looking down at her again and after a moment's contemplation looked back at me earnestly. "I will learn to love her Morgaine."
The tone of his voice did not match the expression in his eyes, I watched him calculating what his exact thoughts were. I was not certain, but I had a good idea. "Yet there is another in your heart." I said gently, caressing his hand with my thumb in a sisterly way.
"Avalon has taught you well sister." He replied somewhat sheepishly.
Calmly I replied, "I need none of my priestess knowledge to tell when you speak in half truths Arthur. I have been able to since you were but a babe."
He chuckled a bit, as did I, easing the tense mood around us. "What's she like Arthur?" I asked with an eager interest.
"I do not know." He replied as if he was in a world half made of dreams and half made of reality.
"For the sake of the Goddess!" I laughed, "How can you not know Arthur?"
"It was only one night, during the Beltane rights. It was my first time to ever bed a woman—"that part he muttered low blushing—"and it was everything I hope and dreamed it would be. She was perfection! And her eyes Morgaine! Oh how soulful they were!" he cried.
"Her eyes," I giggled, "Her eyes? Have you nothing else to describe her by my brother? Do you not even know her name?"
"Alas!" Arthur cried, "If only I did know her name. She is the Goddess to me in all ways. I only know that she has long black hair, the smoothest of all skins, and large ample round breasts, for I could not see her face."
"Why ever not?" I asked, a small knot forming in the pit of my stomach.
"She wore a mask, as did I." he said with a melancholy sigh, "She was the virgin huntress and I the King Stag."
I could feel the color drain from my face and the tears spring up into my eyes, "No, no, no!" I cried, trying to flee, "Oh in the name of the Goddess take it back!"
Before I could run, Arthur had grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down next to him. I was momentarily surprised by how strong my little brother had become since we last parted, but then a sudden memory of the handsome King Stag laying on top of me, eagerly thrusting his young but sturdy manhood into my virgin womb flashed across my mind and I realized that it should be no great surprise to me.
He was looking at me concerned; I could see all the love and brotherly affection in his clear blue eyes. "Morgaine, please tell me what is wrong. Why should I take it back? Why should I revoke the truth of my story?"
I took a deep calming breath; a priestess can hide her emotions. "I was also at the Beltane fires this year brother." I said quietly, "And I have begotten a child from there. But the child that I hold is no common druid of peasants' of the Beltane fire, but the King Stag's himself."
He paled as well, and his eyes looked from my abdomen, where my child was growing, to my eyes. He looked deep within them as if searching for something and his right hand flew up and gently touched one of my black curls.
Neither of us seemed to breath, nor move. We were both lost in a see of thoughts and emotions that we did not want. A line both of us were reluctant to cross, yet eager to all at once.
His hand traced over my lips, until suddenly his came crashing down to mine. It was not a pleasant kiss, dominating and hungry, and painful and fierce, but I felt the love he had for I the virgin huntress, the deep love, pour out of his very soul.
As much as I wanted to take him into my arms at that very moment, I pushed him savagely away, "No Arthur," I said fiercely, "We mustn't."
He did not seem to hear me for he simply grabbed me and hoisted me onto his lap, into another kiss, even hungrier than the first.
Oh how I wanted him. Not just the King Stag, but my brother, my Arthur. How I wanted to feel his manhood inside me, to have him release more of his seed into my womb. It was an awakening of a desire, a true desire. I had thought my ache for Lancelot unbearable, but little did I know of the true passions and turmoil of lust and love, and little did I know of the fine lines between them.
I pushed him away once more, we were outside, even if hidden since we sat behind the wall near his bed chambers that over looked his court yard. But down there the court yard was filled with people, and now was not the time or the place to join together in love making.
"Arthur," I whispered fiercely, "There are people everywhere!"
"I care not!" he replied in a manner so unlike his own, "I could take you in front of them all!" but then suddenly his mood changed and he hugged me to his chest tightly. "I love you so Morgaine." He whispered, stroking my hair and planting a kiss on my forehead.
Tears sprang into my eyes, "And I you, Arthur Pendragon." I replied burying my head into his chest. This was not supposed to happen. I was angry at Viviane for using me as a pawn in her twisted games of the Goddess.
"Tonight." He murmured, pulling me up so that we saw eye to eye, "Promise me tonight, by the cloak of darkness, Morgaine of Avalon."
Before I could reply he began to plant feather soft kisses on my neck, and I arched it back eager for more, yet terrified. "Tonight." I moaned before pushing him away, "By the Goddess I swear it Arthur, tonight."
And then Arthur left me there to collect myself, and organize my thoughts when I felt something within me. Something magical. It seemed that the Goddess had changed her plans of fate, and for the better. I smiled and then frowned.
Where did I stand in all of this, and Lancelot and Arthur? What was our purpose in this twisted game of the Goddess? How could Viviane throw me onto such a path to have such a love for my brother, my Gwydion, my King, my friend? How would this twisted love, and the child that will come of an incestuous bed save Avalon from drifting into the mists forever?
TBC.......
Author's Notes: Thank all of you who read, you don't have to review, but it would be nice if you did.