14. First Steps
Uther Pendragon marched purposefully down the quiet corridors of the castle with the confident air of a King, a man unrivalled and unmatched in every way. Truth be told, after eighteen months of rulership the heavy crown still felt strange perched on top of his royal head but you would not know if from the swagger in his step. He had learned many things from Aurelius during his short reign and how to look the part and feign self-assurance in any situation was just one of them… it would not do for ones subjects to feel that their King still felt like a boy in so many ways.
As he descended the main castle steps he spotted Abraith, trusted court sorcerer and advisor, speaking quietly with his man servant Torquil. As he approached, the boy nodded once to Abraith, bowed low to Uther and hurried on his way, two large wooden buckets banging against his paunch as he went.
"Abraith!" called Uther in greeting, nodding in recognition to the sorcerer's deep bow and gesturing for him to rise, "How goes it this fine morning?"
"Very well Sire," he replied with a smile, "And I trust his Majesty is also well, judging by his countenance?"
"Indeed I am Abraith; the reports that came this morning from the North indicate that the uprising has been quelled and the men are returning home."
"Welcome news my Lord… and what of the insurgence at Argavenny?"
Uther's face fell slightly as the joy of one victory was marred by the reminder of another ongoing battle for peace, "The rebels continue to hold their ground," spat Uther in disgust, "I do not understand it, do we not offer them a free and peaceable life in Albion? Why must they continue to fight my rule?"
"Peasants my Lord do not know what is good for them," answered Abraith with a sigh, "Fortunately, there are still some that are only too willing to serve… should they be given the opportunity."
"Opportunity?" inquired Uther, inclining his head toward his advisor, "What are you speaking of?"
"Torquil Sire, he approached me this morning requesting more duties from you."
"Am I so fearsome that my own manservant cannot speak to me himself about his workload?"
Abraith smiled reassuringly at his sovereign, "It is not a case of fear, simply respect. He did not want to trouble you with his trivial problems and spoke to me instead."
"And what were these concerns?"
The sorcerer sighed deeply, placing his hand on the King's shoulder and drawing him into walking slowly beside him across the castle courtyard, "Your brother Aurelius, may he rest in Avalon, selected Torquil as King's man and it was a choice the council approved, his family have long served the royal household and he is a loyal and trusted servant," Uther folded his arms across his chest as his advisor spoke, annoyance furrowing his brow, "Now that you are King his service falls to you and yet you continue to favour Sebring."
"I trust Sebring," barked Uther defensively, "He was by my side during our flight to Brittany, he readied me for battle when we fought Vortigern and he dressed me for my coronation… I do not know this Torquil as I know Sebring, surely as King I can choose my own servants?"
"Sire, forgive me if I have spoken out of turn," said Abraith, bowing his head in contrition, "But as your advisor I ask that you please allow me to council you on this small matter."
Uther snorted in derision, "Come then Abraith, advise me; how is Torquil better suited to empty the royal chamber pot than Sebring?"
"After the loss of your poor brother the council is simply concerned that only those that can be trusted are allowed in close service to the King," replied Abraith quietly, "Torquil has proven his loyalty and was with the late king to the end, he has proven himself worthy and is deserving of the position."
"Sebring has proven himself worthy to me!" cried Uther in despair.
"Yet not to the council," rejoined the sorcerer, "I would suggest that at this point in your rule, it would not do to be at odds with the council members over such a triviality… a divided court has no strength Sire."
Uther regarded the older man, reluctantly weighing up his words with a begrudging air of defeat, "Very well," he conceded at last, "I will give Torquil more duties… but I am not happy Abraith, the man may be loyal but he is an absolute clotpole."
"Of course Sire," laughed Abraith, "He is a servant, not a physician!"
Spotting the boy returning with his water buckets now full, Uther beckoned him over, rolling his eyes at the water he allowed to slop all over the flagstones in his haste to reach him.
"I have decided to increase your duties Torquil," instructed the King, speaking to the greasy crown of the servant's head as he prostrated himself before his master, "Once you have delivered that water, saddle my horse, I will ride out with the Queen in an hour."
"Yes your Majesty!" beamed the boy, the sallow pockmarks on his adolescent skin quivering as he threw a quick glance of gratitude at Abraith, before speeding off to carry out the King's request.
"Happy?" demanded Uther with a dramatic sigh.
"Exceedingly sire," grinned his companion, watching the boy trip over his own feet as he hurried up the steps, spilling yet more water over his tunic, "I will inform the council at once."
"Curse that retched boy!" exclaimed Uther in annoyance as he shifted uncomfortably for the umpteenth time in his saddle.
"Whatever is the matter my Lord?" questioned Ygraine, smiling gently as her husband squirmed on top of his horse, "It appears there are ants in your britches!"
"There may as well be," grumbled the King as he jumped nimbly to the ground and began to adjust the girth straps and stirrups, "I give that boy one small task and he cannot even accomplish that successfully! Why, these buckles are dangerously loose! Is he trying to kill me?"
"Come now Uther," laughed the Queen, "You are being overdramatic, I'm sure it was a simple error."
"You don't understand!" exclaimed Uther angrily as he marched over to Ygraine's horse to test her straps also, "I am subjected to the tedium and scrutiny of which men I must have serve me and this is the result! You see?" he cried, pulling angrily at the loose buckles of her stirrups, "I should put the idiot in the stocks for his incompetence, not reward him with more duties!"
Ygraine reached out her hand and ran her fingers gently through the King's hair, turning his head to face her, "The poor boy is just trying to please you my love… that cannot be easy."
Uther let out a heavy sigh as the anger inside him started to dissipate, shaking his head as he met the Queen's gaze affectionately, "And yet you accomplish it with ease."
"Ah yes," chuckled Ygraine, "But I am Queen - I have other… methods, of gaining the Kings favour."
"Pray tell madam, what are the methods of which you speak?" asked Uther mischievously as he ran one hand gently up the inside of her leg in the pretence of returning her foot to the newly tightened stirrup.
"My Lord!" she exclaimed in mock rebuke, stilling his wandering hand in her own and leaning down towards him, "That is not the proper behaviour of a noble King."
Uther lifted his other hand and traced the delicate lines of his wife's face, "Not even between himself and his adoring Queen?" he asked quietly.
Ygraine grinned impishly at him, allowing her eyes to slide subtly to the left before nodding her head in that direction, "Not with Sir Leon as such a close observer Sire."
Uther let out a roar of laughter at the uncomfortable look of embarrassment on the face of his personal guard, the deepening colour of his cheeks contrasting against his strawberry blond hair.
"Leon is newly married and has a young son of his own!" said Uther merrily, "With little Leon the Younger running around as testament do not think him naïve to the ways of women my dear."
"Woman my Lord," corrected Sir Leon with a good humoured smile, "Not women, my wife is more that enough for me."
"Well said Sir Leon," said Ygraine, clapping her hands together with mirth as Uther mounted his horse once more.
"Come wife," he called jovially, "Let us put these energies into our morning ride, let us see who can be first to reach the edges of Darkling Wood!"
With the wind whipping at their faces, all three riders raced across the open fields, easily clearing any fallen trees and scrub that stood in their way. Leaning forward in his saddle and urging his horse to go faster still, Uther rounded the last hill and flew toward the forest edge, only reining his horse in at the last minute as he skidded to a halt triumphantly.
"Well ridden sire," called Sir Leon breathlessly, as he and Ygraine caught up to him.
Lifting Ygraine from her saddle, Uther took her arm and glanced briefly back at Leon, "Guard the horses my friend, the Queen and I shall have a short stroll and meet you back here presently."
Alone at last, the royal couple stepped past the fringes of the forest edge and made their way toward a small clearing in the trees. Spreading out his heavy cloak upon the thick bracken, Uther helped Ygraine find a comfortable position before settling himself down beside her. The sounds of the birds in the trees sang merrily around them as they sat in companionable silence, Ygraine picking absent-mindedly at the petals of some wild flowers and allowing each one to fall softly to the ground beside her.
"You are very quiet Ygraine, is there something troubling you my love?" asked Uther after a while.
The beautiful blond in his arms let out a dry laugh, turning to look him in the eye, "'My love' you say so blithely… and yet it is this that is perplexing me."
"How so?" asked Uther, concern marking his brow.
"On our wedding day you confessed to me that you were not a willing husband," she explained, "Yet now you call me 'love', which is it to be?"
Uther searched her face, his expression serious as he sought out the right words to express himself, "Much has changed in eighteen months Ygraine," he said at last.
"And?" she pressed, placing her hand against her husband's cheek, "Do you love me?"
A gentle smile broke out on Uther's face, lighting up his eyes as he spoke, "I do," he assured her.
A cry of delight bubbled up in Ygraine's mouth as she pressed her lips to his with a sigh of contentment. The King let out a throaty laugh between kisses, enjoying the pleasure of his wife's attentions, "I did not ever think it possible," he said quietly, pressing his face into her hair and breathing deeply, "I believe you have bewitched me madam."
Ygraine leant her forehead against his, running her fingers through his cropped hair as she stared intently into his eyes, "If that is so my Lord then you are in my power and must grant me one wish."
"Anything!" the King cried theatrically, "What is it to be? The quill of a porcupine? The tooth of a crocodile perhaps… no! I've got it… the golden feather of a Griffin!"
"Invite Gorlois back to court," she said softly.
Uther's face darkened immediately at the mention of his old friend and his arms dropped to his side, his prior mirth forgotten, "Of what concern is Gorlois to you?" he demanded.
"My concern is not for him but for you," she replied, placing her hand gently on his arm, "After your coronation the first thing you did was give him the Dukedom of Cornwall."
"What of it?"
"I am not blind Uther, Cornwall is far away and this new position has kept him constantly away from court."
"That was my intention!" cried Uther angrily, "I didn't think you'd like to have my old lover hanging around in a court where you are newly Queen!"
"And I appreciate the sentiment," she said soothingly, "But as you said, much has changed in eighteen months and I do not doubt your love for me, Lornán's presence would not trouble me."
Uther sat quietly for a moment, brooding over his wife's words, "Why now," he asked at last, "What has suddenly spurred your desire to see Gorlois return?"
"My intention husband, is to see you happy," she replied, "it has not escaped my notice these past few months that you miss Gorlois, both as a companion and on the battle field."
"But Lornán-"
"Lornán is Gorlois' wife now, as I am yours," interrupted the Queen, smoothing out the creases from the deep frown in her husband's forehead with her thumb, "The scandal of your affair has long died… as have, I believe, your feelings."
"They have," he confirmed with a slow nod of his head.
"Then it is settled," she said, clapping her hands together, "you will bring them back to court and finally stop complaining that you have no competent Knights by your side in battle!"
Uther did not smile at her teasing comments, his expression remaining serious, "It will be hard," he said softly, squeezing her hand in his own.
"That may be so," she answered blithely as she rose gracefully to her feet and stepped back onto the path toward Leon and the horses, "But that Uther Pendragon, is when life is most interesting."