Full chapter title: Lights Go Out And I Can't Be Saved
If there was one thing Vortigern, Prince of Camelot, was willing to do for his own personal gain, it would be anything that would send him to the deepest pits of hell.
"How do you know of this place, my love? You must tell me where we're going. Why do you not answer me? Tell me what we are doing down here! My darling, tell me what it is, and I'll make it stop. It's okay."
Vortigern rang a bell in the caverns of the Camelot citadel, confusing and frightening his wife Princess Elisa even more. He hugs his wife close, then pulls out a dagger and plunges it into her stomach, killing her. The next morning when Vortigern went looking for his wife, he blamed his brother for her disappearance, King Uther Pendragon of Camelot. From then on, there was resentment between the two, a resentment that started when Uther was crowned king.
After Vortigern's banishment from the island nation of Terebinthia, he was never allowed to represent the kingdom of Camelot on ambassadorial trips, and he had to marry a woman from Camelot. When he murdered his wife Elsa, he did not take into account he would be leaving their daughter without a mother.
"My King Uther, you have a surprise visitor."
"Who is this visitor?"
"King Conláed of Terebinthia."
"I will not have the bastard son of my brother in this kingdom! Do you know what that shows our enemies?!"
"I don't know what to do with him, your majesty."
"Throw him in the dungeons!"
"Uncle, I would like the chance to meet my brother, if I may. Do this for me, as a favour to my mother. Please let me meet my brother."
"Father, she has a point. don't think of him as your bastard nephew. Just think of him as your brother's bastard son, a mistake that he knows could have been prevented, Or just think of him as your niece's brother. Besides, throwing the king of Terebinthia in the dungeons would bring the armies of this world upon us."
"I suppose you're right, Arthur. Very well, it's settled then. Guards, let Conláed in."
Uther respected his niece enough to let Conláed be a guest of hers, and if so, Arthur's guest as well.
"Uther Pendragon, uncle. We finally meet."
"King Conláed of Terebinthia, welcome to Camelot."
"Brother! We finally meet!"
Princess Catia jumped out of her seat and ran up to hug Conláed, surprising him.
"I'm happy to finally meet you, sister. Where is our father?"
"That is a good question. But please meet your cousin, Prince Arthur, and my ward, Lady Morgana."
As Conláed set his eyes upon Morgana, there was something in her eyes he had seen in his mother, his aunt, and his other sister Caoilfhionn. But he didn't dare speak it loudly.
"Father, there you are!"
As soon as Vortigern and Conláed laid eyes on each other, it took all the strength that Conláed had and a silent prayer to whoever was listening to hold his strength and rage back.
"We finally meet, father."
"Yes, we do. what brings you to Camelot, besides wanting to meet your sister and me?"
"I am also on a state visit."
"And who is keeping watch over Terebinthia in your absence? Certainly not your sister Caoilfhionn?"
"What happens in Terebinthia is none of your concern. It is my homeland, not yours."
"Of course. I am sure after your long journey, you would like to eat and rest."
"Ah yes, of course."
"Merlin, please show Conláed to his rooms and have food brought up to him."
"No food yet for me. I think I would like to dine with my family this evening, if that is alright with the rest of you."
"It is just fine with me, brother."
Conláed followed Merlin to his rooms for his stay in Camelot, taking in his surroundings.
"Merlin, could I have parchment and a quill brought to me? I need to write a letter to my council in Terebinthia to let them know I am here safe."
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you."
Merlin brought the parchment, ink, and quill up to his room, and as he was about to leave, Conláed instructed him to stay.
"Why do I need to stay, may I ask?"
"Because this letter is not going to Terebinthia. This letter is going to Narnia, to my sister Caoilfhionn. I need you to get this letter out of Camelot. Is there any way that you can?"
"Yes, I most often work for the physician here, I could go out on a trip for herbs and have the letter on me."
"Perfect."
"Dearest Sister Caoilfhionn, I am journeying to Camelot for a time period of at least one month, or longer, but it depends on you. The reason why it depends on you, well, I have put you in a very difficult predicament haven't I? What with the death of our beloved mother, and you only being Baroness of Dancing Lawn instead of Queen of Terebinthia. Though, I hear tell your title of Baroness of Dancing Lawn, Guardian of the Dancing Trees is your most beloved title. Are you saying your people mean nothing to you? If that is the truth, then you can stay in Narnia. But if not, then I ask that you come to Camelot. There are things we need to discuss, and I feel it would be better if we meet on neutral ground. You may bring your husband and children if you like, and even one of the Narnian royals, especially Lunradmund. I have heard good things about his mind. Sincerely, your beloved brother, Conláed."
Conláed sealed the letter in an envelope, and handed it to Merlin. To avoid suspicion, Merlin headed straight to the physician Gaius to tell him he was going out into the wood to get some healing herbs. Merlin knew about Conláed and Caoilfhionn, and their supernatural family history. He went out into a field far from the city, and called for the dragon Kilgharrah.
"O drakon, fthengomai au se kalon su katerkheo deuro!"
"Well, young warlock. What use do you have of me now?"
"I need you to deliver a letter."
"A letter? I am not a messenger boy."
"Please, this letter is important. Conáed of Terebinthia is here now, and he has a letter he needs to be delivered to his sister."
"To Caoilfhionn?"
"Yes, he said she is in Narnia. I don't think he wants anyone in Camelot to know about this letter."
"You are a warlock, yes, but I answer to an even higher calling than you. Caoilfhionn is the Triple Goddess, and the ruling figure of us dragons."
"I thought there were no more dragons left."
"Not in this part of the world, but in other parts, there are many of us. I will deliver this letter to her majesty, and she will reply back. I will bring back her word."
"Thank you."
With that, Kilgharrah flew off to Narnia. Merlin went to actually pick herbs, so as not to arouse suspicion.