Chapter 2

But with that, not everything was explained. In a land where magic reigned freely, Uther had assumed it would be easy to find a sorcerer willing to find a cure for his barren wife – but on the contrary – it proved to be very hard. Balinor had whispered the word ''magic'', had hesitated to tell his older brother, because every sorcerer knew the consequences of this particular case. ''To create a life, a life must be taken'', had thus stood on Nimueh Patterson's contract in small, delicate handwriting, but Uther was practically glowing with joy when he thought of closing his arms around a small baby boy, who was to complete his family and secure the kingdom. That was why he'd signed the contract right away, without really looking at it or reading the small letters. That, right there, would prove to be the most fatal decision he had ever made. A decision that would brutally change the kingdom and change an awful lot of lives, and even worse: a decision that would cost too many people their lives – including Balinor Pendragon's.

A few weeks after meeting the eccentric witch Nimueh, whom Uther had rewarded with a thousand pounds, he doubled this amount of money, naming it a 'bonus'. If anyone had seen him exchange this large amount of money, they would've claimed him mad. One didn't simply buy himself a child of the wished gender – it was against nature. But for this Mad King it had been a special day. In her nightgown, his lovely blond wife Ygraine had taken his hand to hold and smiled, teary-eyed and not at all aware of what was happening around her, simply calling it a wonder because she didn't know better: ''I'm expecting, darling.'' The words Uther had been waiting for five years to hear. Ygraine's voice had been muffled by her tears – as was Uther's when he answered: ''Thank god, thank god.'' He'd laid in bed with his Queen, but his mind was somewhere else. He was thanking Nimueh in his thoughts, blessing her, kissing her, making love to her – that was how overwhelmed by joy and gratefulness he was. And when he'd figured those thoughts about Nimueh were unhealthy – his wife was laying beside him, for God's sake and she needed him – he'd shaken his head. Writing Nimueh a letter and two thousand pounds would do, even though a thank you wasn't simply enough to express his feelings.

A few days later he was planning on bringing the news to the Miller Mansion, which lay hidden in a forest and therefore, was surrounded by large conifers. Summer made its way for fall, and rain was pouring down. Uther put the cap of his warm coat on as soon as he got out of the car and he made his way through the big garden. It made him think of the garden he and Balinor had so often played in when they'd been young. He thought of Balinors butterflies, how astonished he was every time Balinor created something unexplainable. Uther knew this was possible, but he could've never dreamt that somebody could help him to a son with a murmur and a change of eye colour. That was truly astonishing.

Uther reached the heavy wooden door of the mansion, knocked on it, waited, heard some noise, waited – and when it was opened by Hunith with a shy little Emrys clinging onto her legs, he smiled. ''Hunith, it's been a while! How I missed you!''

''You look good, your majesty.'' She teased him, still unimpressed by titles and her own title of princess as well. She didn't feel like a princess, she didn't feel special. She was just Hunith. When she and Balinor got married, the newspapers were too busy focussing on Uther's business trip to America, where he'd discussed the Civil Rights Act that included the use of magic in public. And King Uther was all Great-Britain cared about. Nobody knew exactly who Hunith was, and this pleased her. She could do and leave, walk and talk, smile and wave wherever, however and whenever she wanted. Oh, the King was visiting them? No need to worry about dirty dishes. He was also just a human. Someone who answered only seconds after she gave him a compliment about his appearance: ''I feel good, thank you. Say 'hi' to uncle Uther, Em.'' His attention was drawn towards the child. A splendid child, really. Was already able to walk, more or less, when he was a few months old, and his hair, his black thick hair wouldn't stop growing. The same counted for his small, thin fingers and for his ears. Jokes were often made about how good his hearing must be. Emrys' hands loosened their tight grip on Hunith's leg and he reached out to Uther, who lifted Emrys up and let him sit on both arms. That was when Balinor came around the corner and greeted him.

''I'm good,'' responded Uther, ''thank you. More than good, actually! Tell me how you've been!''

''I've been doing my shifts at the hospital, the last one ended a few hours ago. So forgive me for my tiredness.''

Uther nodded while Balinor continued: ''This poor girl was suffering from cholera, just like many others. I've been trying to find a healing spell for it for what seems like forever.'' He sighed, thinking back of all those sleepless nights filled with research. Then he looked up through his eyelashes with glittering eyes. ''And I did it, Uther! I've come up with a spell that healed her successfully!''

Hunith strolled over to Balinor and kissed him on the nose. ''And how proud we all are,'' she murmured lovingly. ''Come, come, Uther,'' she gestured then, ''let's sit.''

After they had filled their mouths with tea and biscuits, Emrys had managed to climb onto a chair and looked through the window, pointing towards the woods with his finger. The air, that was clear now, attracted Hunith and Balinor both to take a little walk, just the way their smart little boy had intended. Uther agreed with this plan. The family put on their coats and scarves, and Hunith tried to put Emrys in his baby wagon, which made him cry. Once the promise was made that he could walk with them, the tears stopped. As soon as Emrys saw the pine cones that had fallen of the conifers, he made it his job to collect them all. Now that they had stopped, Uther seized the opportunity to take his brother apart and tell him why he'd come. With Hunith and Emrys too busy collecting cones, it was easy for Uther to invite Balinor to take a little walk with him. And so they walked in silence, until the ''I have to tell you something,'' was said.

Balinor slowed his pace and turned his head towards Uther. ''I knew. I knew you only came to tell me something.''

''O, don't spoil the fun, brother, I always enjoy seeing your son.''

''But soon you'll have your own and will never come round again, if I'm right about your reason for visiting us.''

''Please, what nonsense is this?'' Uther said with a collected voice. ''Of course I'll keep visiting you. And yes, Ygraine is pregnant.''

''So is what I'm thinking true? You used magic?'' Balinor raised one eyebrow, sceptical about Uther's decision.

The other one threw his arms in the air, and yelled. There was no trace of his collected voice left, the only thing audiable was his disbelief. ''Jezus Christ, can't you be happy for me this once?! You're the one who suggested it, anyway, or did you forget?''

Balinor made a face, thinking back of that one summer afternoon. ''I didn't say you should get through with it. You can't get a son out of nowhere. To create a new life, a life must be taken. The balance of the nature must be restored somehow. Do you realise now, what you have done?'' He closed his eyes, like he often did when he had worries or doubts, and told himself to calm down, which proved to be hard when the answer he got was: ''I cannot see a problem in that. There are enough people who are dying from cholera in this monarchy. Their days are numbered.''

''How can you say such a thing!'' Balinor spat out, ''that is what I call cruelty. I know you live a careless life, and I might say this counts for myself as well when it comes to the money, but those people out there are real people. They have lives, like you and me. And you know how hard I fight to keep them alive, God damn it!''

Uther rolled his eyes, the Mad King he was. He only strived for his own good, even though he claimed differently. ''And what will happen to Great-Britain without a true heir? I find it painful to believe you can't see the positive side of my decision.''

Because of that response Balinor wanted to launch himself at Uther. He didn't. It took him all his power to contain his self-control. He did take his brother by the wrist, and his lips formed a rigid line under his nose. Five seconds long he stared into Uther's eyes, and then whispered: ''Who performed the spell?''

''Nimueh Patterson. How do you mean?''

Balinor abruptly let go of Uther's wristed and exclaimed: ''No. No!''

Uther answered with a sneering laugh: ''Nimueh doesn't hurt a fly, I've spoken to her. We have an arrangement, and it has worked perfectly so far. Tell me, little one, why are you being this way? Every spell is the same, you could've done it too!''

''But I didn't, and that's the thing! But you know what,'' the youngest of the two hissed, ''you may as well have your nine months of happiness, if you don't forget to pray to all the Gods Nimueh hasn't got something up her sleeve.''

''I've had enough of this. You're supposed to support me, that's what family is for. You clearly don't wish me any happiness at all! All I came here for was to tell you this splendid news and whatever you've just said... I won't let it change my mood. Goodbye, Balinor, we'll be in touch...''

''...or not.'' It was whispered by Balinor after Uther had walked away without as much as a single glance backwards. It was impossible for Balinor to enjoy the rest of the day, with this nauseous feeling that was settling in his stomach.