PART 9

The young dark haired man paced the room. "Is there nothing that can be done?"

"She was gravely injured, My Lord," said the old woman who acted as healer for the druids. "This was powerful magic used against her."

"It was Emrys. He threw some magic spell at her. He was angry because Mordred had just mortally wounded King Arthur. He killed Mordred then turned on my mother."

"Your mother had no right siding with that evil creature. She is the King's sister. She should have stood with him not against him."

"I told her but she would not listen." He dragged his hand through his dark hair.

"Devon?" A weak voice from the bed called out.

"I'm here, Mother." He takes her hand. It is cold as he tried to warm it between his own.

"The throne is yours. You are the last of the Pendragon line. Fight for what is yours my son. Devon, do you hear me?" Morgana whispered to her son.

"Yes Mother, I hear you but there is no more kingdom. You and Mordred destroyed it. There is no throne for me to take."

Morgana drew a shuddering breath. "I loved him once. Both of them and they turned their backs to me. Take the throne, Devon. It is yours." She took another shuddering breath and then no more.

"Mother, you died for nothing and I'm sorry." He turned to the man at the door. "Prepare the funeral pyre. I want her respected."

"What about the throne of Camelot and Albion?"

"It means nothing to me. I want no part of that madness."

"Yes, My Lord." The man walked out the door.
O~X~O~X~O~X~

The funeral for Luther Penn was quiet and stoic. Just the family and a few business associates were present.

Arthur and Gwen left quickly after the service to see to the wake arrangements. Arthur was pale and quiet behind a pair of sunglasses. Gwen held his hand tightly and never let go.

Merlin and Vivvie held hands as they walked to the cars. Vivvie pulled at his hand. "Daddy, can we go to see Mummy's place?"

"What place Vivvie?" He stopped and crouched down to her level.

"Her final resting place," she said. "That's what the minister said. Grandfather was in his final resting place. Where is Mummy's?"

"Come with me, it's over there." Merlin pointed to a lovely bed of flowering bushes.

They walked over and Vivvie read the plain stone marker.

MORGANA PENN

Vivvie looked down at her mother's grave. "We don't have any flowers."

Merlin whispered a spell and a bouquet of forget-me-nots appeared.

Vivvie looked at the flowers and gasped then looked back at her father. "How did you do that?"

"Magic," Merlin said. "Come on now, let's get going. Your aunt and uncle are waiting for us."

"Alright." Vivvie let him lead her away. She shut her eyes tightly and a single white rose appeared next to the flowers. She looked back to make sure and then she walked with her daddy to the waiting car.
~X~

The wake was held at Arthur and Gwen's home. There were more people at the wake mostly employees and more business associates. It was obvious that Luther Penn had few friends. Everyone came up to Arthur and gave their condolences. Arthur was still pale and his sunglasses had been hiding red rimmed, bloodshot eyes. Gwen moved through the guests to make sure all were tended.

Merlin and Vivvie came in and went straight for the kitchen. Vivvie sat at the kitchen table as Merlin prepared her a plate of food. Gwen came in to check on them.

"Everything alright?" Gwen asked.

"Yes I think we will stay here for a bit." Merlin looked at Gwen then glanced at Vivvie.

"Good idea," she said. "Merlin did you see what was in the envelope yet?"

"No, I haven't had a chance." He sat the plate in front of Vivvie who smiled up at him. "Eat something. It will be a while till tea."

Vivvie nodded and looked at the plate then took a bite.

Merlin went over to his coat and pulled out the envelope. He opened it. Inside were documents with official seals on them. Among the papers was a DNA report stating that the father of Vivianna Penn was Merlin Emrys. Merlin leaned up against the wall and then slid to the floor. The proof I needed.

"What is it Merlin?" Gwen looked at him. He was pale and shaking.

He held up the DNA report to her. Gwen looked at it and gasped.

"The rest of these are custody papers." Merlin looked at the other papers in his hand. "She was mine all along and he kept her from me." Merlin rubbed his watery eyes.

Vivvie looked her father obviously upset and she got up and hugged him. "It's alright, Daddy. Don't cry."

Arthur walked thru the door and looked at them. "What happened?"

Gwen smiled and whispered to him. "Merlin has the documents he needs for custody of Vivvie. Morgana had set up an arrangement for him and there is a DNA report as well."

"Good," Arthur nodded. "That's one thing we don't have to handle. She needs her father." Arthur turned to Merlin. "Merlin, get off the floor. You and Vivvie need to eat and then decide where you're both staying tonight. There is plenty of room here till we can get you both settled. I don't think Freya's flat is that large, is it?"

Merlin looked at Arthur in surprise. "No, I guess it's not." He smiled. "Come on my poppet let's sit and eat something."

Vivvie got up and looked at her father. "Who is Freya?"

"She … she … is my special friend." Merlin blushed as he realized there was much Vivvie and he didn't know about each other.

Arthur and Gwen slipped out of the kitchen and back into the guests.