In answer to the questions about the name Emrys – it is the Welsh form of the name Ambrosius and does indeed mean Immortality. What can I say… I like detail…

5: A Kingdom under Construction

Prince Uther stood at the newly leaded window, watching the activity below thoughtfully. It had been eleven long months since Vortigern's fall and his Brother's subsequent crowning, finally confirming him as the rightful King of Albion. Uther himself had officially been given the command of the Knights and named as second in line to the throne.

Beneath him, workmen scurried like ants across the foundations of the new castle. The site of his Father's grand citadel had been cleared and work begun anew to rebuild the Pendragon stronghold. Stone was being quarried and cut for the main Keep around the clock and men had been brought in from across the country to aid in the construction. The small gatehouse where Uther now stood was the first structure to be completed and it would house the two Royals and their entourage until the work on the castle proper was finished.

"We are making fine progress Brother," stated Aurelius, his words drawing Uther's eyes away from the industry of the men below and turn instead to face him, "The groundwork for the final tower on the east of the castle was established today."

"Ay," replied Uther, "I oversaw the laying of the cornerstone myself."

"And yet you look so glum?"

Uther sighed and folded his arms across his chest, his eyes straying once more to the progress of the work before him, "It is not the construction of the tower that concerns me Sire; it is that of the wall," he said gravely, "Hengist is still leading raids on our men and I fear we leave ourselves exposed."

"Nonsense!" scoffed Aurelius, his heavy gold crown glinting dully in the afternoon sun shining softly through the window, "Hengist and his rabble are nothing but dim-witted barbarians; our men are more than a match for them."

"And what of the attacks from darker forces that have been reported in the Kingdom?"

"Mabon was a powerful sorcerer," said the King wearily, "Once Alwyn slew him there was bound to be an insurrection of his followers and others like him to fill that void."

"You speak as if they are nothing but a mere inconvenience!" exclaimed Uther, "Yet just this morning an attempt was made on your life by a dark warlock."

"And he was thwarted easily by Abraith," replied Aurelius through gritted teeth, his annoyance at his Brothers negativity becoming increasingly obvious. "Why are you tearing apart our efforts?" he demanded, "Can you not see the glorious vision of this construction we are building together and all that it represents?"

"I see a pile of stone with no defences," rebuffed Uther cynically. His brother heaved a great sigh of frustration before throwing his arm around the Prince's shoulders and steering him back toward the window.

"Now see with your heart, not your critical eyes; where we stand now will merely make up part of the outer bailey. Those two circular foundations will form two majestic round towers, no grander entry way to a castle will there be found in all of Albion. Just behind those towers will be the main Keep with its own square tower to house the Royal chambers. There will be eight round external towers in all, ensconced in the outer battlements and within these walls will be not one but two inner courtyards. The white stone of our turrets will rise up proudly toward the sky, the Pendragon banners displayed with glory on the ramparts. It will be, not just a pile of stone as you put it – but a fortress, our walls will provide a place of peace and prosperity that will symbolise the strength and pride of our great land and the impregnability of our sovereignty."

"More so than the previous Pendragon castle?"

"This stronghold shall not be named for the House of Pendragon… it must invoke a greater sense of unity and loyalty, a sense of nobility and majesty as well as the ideals of our nation," declared Aurelius, his eyes gleaming as he painted an image of his dream to Uther, "The citadel will instead be known simply as Camelot."

"Camelot… land of peace," repeated Uther, trying the word out on his tongue for the first time, "Your vision for this land is a stirring one Aurelius, " he conceded at last, "I am simply concerned as to how we shall reach those goals."

"Which brings me to why I sought you out in the first place Brother," smiled the King, his clear green eyes sparkling as he clapped the Prince jovially on the back, "Abraith has agreed to stay indefinitely at court as official Sorcerer and advisor."

"That is good news;" agreed Uther, "His skill and knowledge of magic and the ways of the Druids will be of great aid to the Kingdom."

"Indeed… his council is greatly valued, which is why I must request a mission of you."

Uther raised an eyebrow and cocked his head questioningly to one side, not liking the sound of this request and remaining silent, waiting for his Brother to explain.

"He has suggested a tribute to Alwyn," the King continued, unabashed, "Monolithic standing-stones, arranged into a monumental Henge, the likes of which has never before been attempted."

"You wish me to oversee a further construction project?" cried the Prince in disbelief, "We shall spread our efforts too thin and will be overrun for sure!"

Aurelius frowned his displeasure at his Brother's disapproving remarks, "On the contrary," he said acidly, "This tribute to Alwyn will unite the Druids and Warlocks of Albion to our cause and ensure their continued support and protection."

Uther ran his hand across his close cropped hair in frustration, "Even if that could be guaranteed," He retorted hotly, "Surely my place is still here defending the subjects of your realm, not overseeing a construction site for the Druids!"

"May I remind you Brother, that I am your King," seethed Aurelius, "And my command is sacrosanct!"

Uther stared dolefully at the older man for a few moments, taking in the determined look in his Brother's eyes with apprehension, "And there is no other man that can go in my stead?"

Aurelius shook his head firmly, "I require a Royal emissary."

"For what purpose?" asked Uther in confusion.

The King paused; obviously weighing his words carefully, "The obelisks required for the northern part of the structure have been specifically selected by Abraith… and can only be sourced in the Kingdom of Éire."

"Éire?" exclaimed Uther in shock, "You wish me to leave the land we have only just recovered?"

"As you know, our relations with King Dubhán are weak at best," continued Aurelius, ignoring his Brother's objections, "You must travel to the foothills of Mount Killaraus and negotiate the excavation and transportation of the stones in my name."

"Sire, surely you can see my place is here - as leader of the armies of Albion? Of this Camelot that you are creating?"

"Your place is wherever I command it!" spat the King, his gloved hand gripping the front of Uther's tunic in anger, before pushing him away in disgust, "You will leave by the next full moon, is that understood?"

"Yes Sire," confirmed the Prince in dismay, his plans of working and training with his Knights vanishing before his eyes.

The King searched his Brother's face for a moment, before nodding in satisfaction that he was indeed subjecting himself to his command and turned abruptly on his heel to exit the gatehouse.

"It seems I shall never meet my bride!" Uther called after him jovially, attempting to lighten the mood and placate his Brother's unpredictable shift in emotions, "Ygraine is still not returned from the safety of the northern borders."

Aurelius regarded his brother coolly, before sensing the good-humour of his words and breaking into a genial smile of his own, "So this is your real concern!" he cried affably, "That you will still be denied the soft touch of your sweetheart? Do not fear little Brother; her warm bosom will be waiting for you on your return."

Uther watched the King's chuckling form retreating down the passageway, before returning slowly to the vantage point of his window. There was no trace of mirth on his features now as he watched the work still progressing down below. Again and again his eye fell to the unfinished walls and the weakness in their defences. He sighed deeply to himself despondently… If only he were King…

A/N – I grew up not far from the Salisbury plains so yes I do know that Stonehenge was built around 2400 BC (roughly 3000yrs before Uther was around) so you can blame Geoffrey of Monmouth for that little historical faux pas. I am merely expounding that part of the legend that he created… and bending it slightly to tie in with 'Merlin'. If you've never heard of Stonehenge then Google it, there's a website and everything ;)