Part 24

The Mystery of the Stone

Gaius had spent half the night searching his books. He had a twofold mission. To discover how to destroy the stone and to work out how create a circle of power. Uther had recovered quickly and was almost back to his old self, apart from a little sleeplessness. Gaius also noted a new tolerance in the King, of Arthur's decision making for one thing. But even so, planning to trick the King was something he was not entirely comfortable with. He was, he thought to himself almost performing and act of treason. Merlin had not returned from his meeting with Arthur the night before and Gaius hoped to have something to show him. Indeed he had found some things of great interest.

Merlin did not arrive back at home until the late afternoon. 'Really Merlin.' scolded Gaius, 'you should have told me where you were. I was imagining all sorts of things.' said the old man with a pained tinge to his voice, but when a chastened Merlin turned to apologise, Gaius' delight in the success of his ruse gave the game away. 'I'm very happy you and the Prince have resolved your problems.' he said with a broad smile.

'You knew about that?' asked Merlin.

'Merlin my dear boy, if things are not well between you and Arthur: you don't eat beyond a mouthful. You sigh audibly every ten minutes and I've even known you groan aloud with your own private anguish.'

'I'm not that bad,' said Merlin slightly alarmed at the idea of him being so transparent.

'No? If I had a gold piece for every time you have said 'Oh Dear,' in the past 24 hours I would have enough money to retire on in less than a week.'

Merlin caught that mischievous look on the old man's face that once again betrayed his teasing and Gaius couldn't help letting out a huge laugh. You should see your face,' he said, clapping Merlin on the shoulder. ' But seriously you have been down in the doldrums over it, both of you, but in a way it is heartening that you care so much about each other. I have no doubt that your shared destiny has worked on you both. Now about the stone, let me show you something.'

Gaius had several large books stacked on his desk along with Aidith's travel journal.

'I have examined Aidith's references and found out where she found some of her research. It seems that the library I inherited was largely hers.' He placed an open book before Merlin. On the left hand page was a drawing of a stone exactly like the Twifeald stone. On the right a detailed description, Gaius ran his finger along a line. 'Here,' he said, 'read this.'

A two faced stone is an object of great power. The stone itself has a twin nature just as the desires that reside in the human heart are many. A stone can be used for great good if it is tempered with wisdom, so too the heart of man.

'It sounds as though there is more than one stone out there, but it is only one we have,' said Merlin, 'Aidith said it was one stone split into two?

'Indeed that is so, I believe Aidith may have found this stone already fractured and with the information in this book, presuming she read it, she knew what that meant.'

'What does it mean?'

'Notice this Merlin. The stones are like the human heart with a twin nature that can be tempered through knowledge and wisdom. What would happen Merlin if you split the heart?

'It would not work?'

'It may work in a fashion, but it would not function as it should,'

'So you think...' said Merlin thoughtfully, 'that we need to mend the stone rather than destroy it.'

'I do Merlin and I think that has been the problem all along. This stone was only destructive because it was split in two. How that happened I do not know but if we continue the analogy of the heart, a broken heart can result in different outcomes. You may diminish and grow weak or you could grow hard and unyielding. You only have to think on Uther and you have the perfect example. Now there is something else. I want you to tell me exactly what Aidith told you: how she contained the stones and created the illusion in Heaf. You mentioned a blacksmith.'

'She said she held the stone with the power of a smith and her own lifeblood.'

Gaius looked troubled. 'Those were her exact words?'

'Yes. I'm certain'

'The old man pulled out another of his books. He laid the page before Merlin. Read this Merlin. I will make you some tea.' Merlin read the page. When he had finished he looked over to Gaius who was busying himself with the kettle.

'This is very complicated Gaius. Does it mean someone has to die?'

'No, no my boy,' he said shaking his head, 'at least I do not believe so... I believe Aidith in the end gave her life but she was creating a huge web of magic that would last centuries. No, although this spell requires lifeblood and that is usually the blood that flows directly from the heart it is unthinkable to perform such an act nowadays and I'm certain Aidith would not have done so. There must be a symbolic truth we can find that equates with the lifeblood of the heart.'

'But what do you mean exactly when you said the spell requires lifeblood and what is this usually blood from the heart bit?' said Merlin, his anxiety not in the least assuaged.

Gaius hesitated. In ancient days of magic, long before his time, he had heard of such things. In their long history it was said that druids presided over human sacrifice. All pretty gruesome, but Gaius decided it would not hurt to share a bit of history with Merlin, if only to show him how far magic had come. Gaius went into tutor mode. 'The blood used would have to pump from the heart directly into a vessel or fire perhaps and so an incision would be made in the vein,' Gaius put his fingers against Merlin's neck, 'Here,' and then he laid a finger on Merlin's temple, 'or here, but of course the problem was having to close it afterwards, the heart is a powerful organ…why I've seen the blood from a pig…'

Merlin felt a little sick and turned quite green. Gaius caught sight of him 'Now, now Merlin we shan't be doing anything like that here. I'm sure there is another way.'

*

Rupert was returning from the training ground. His wounds were healing but nevertheless he had to move cautiously. As he passed the stables an elderly man, very tall but stooped with age called him over by name. Rupert did not recognize him. 'Yes?' said Rupert officiously, as the old man approached him. The man was leaning a hand on a young boy's shoulder. Rupert recognised the boy instantly even though he was little drawn and dark eyed, he was unmistakably Brand's son.

'Ayden!' said Rupert. Then it dawned on him. If this was Ayden then…Rupert searched the face and eyes of the old man.

'Brand!' said Rupert in shock. 'Brand what has happened to you?'

'Time,' said the old man, with a smile, 'merely time my friend.'

'And Lillian, where is she?'

Brand did not or could not answer. Ayden in the wisdom of innocence spoke for him. 'My mother is dying,' he said simply. 'A Lady near the gate is tending her.'

Without another word Rupert took Brand's elbow.' I'm taking you to Lillian and then I'm going to find Prince Arthur. Come sire.' Rupert called over his shoulder to Sir Bors who had come up behind them as they spoke.

'Ask Prince Arthur to come to the city gate with great haste. Tell him Brand has come.' Then Rupert lifted Ayden up, the boy was exhausted and he led Brand back to the castle gate. When they arrived Rupert saw that it was Gwen who was tending to Lillian. She reported to Rupert like any of his men would have done.

'I have sent for Gaius Sir Rupert, she looks too ill to move…I thought it best that he see her before we move her and perhaps we could get her to my house then. If that is acceptable?' she added looking at Brand. Brand nodded distractedly. Rupert leaned in closer to Gwen so no one else could hear him. 'Brand and Lillian are a King and Queen, though the humblest I have met, and close friends of Arthur's, it may not be appropriate for them to stay with you.'

Gwen smiled sweetly. 'Forgive me Sir Rupert, but I believe her well being is more important than…' Gwen remembered to whom she was talking. 'I mean since I've been working alongside Gaius…Oh I…' Gwen ground to a halt.

Lillian who had heard their exchange opened her eyes. 'Now Sir Knight she scolded you know me better than that.' Then turning to Gwen she added. 'If I can rise up my girl, I will gladly take advantage of your kindness.'

Though she was weak Lillian's voice was as commanding as ever. But Rupert was stubborn. Something he could not describe had descended on him the moment he saw Brand. An anticipation of some kind…a sense that the forest of Heaf had arrived here with them and that all its strangeness and power was about to be let loose on Camelot. 'I must insist you stay here My Lady until the physician comes.' Lillian made a noise of irritation in her throat and held up one hand to the knight and the other to Gwen. She waved her hand impatiently at Rupert who just stared at her.

'Take my hand Rupert or would you have me breathe my last lying in the streets of Camelot.'

She is every bit a Queen thought Gwen. Rupert relented and he and Gwen helped Lillian to her feet though in truth Rupert almost carried her to Gwen's house.

*

Arthur hurried to the city gates and saw Rupert was waiting for him. 'Where are they Rupert?'

'In the house of the blacksmith Sire,' said Rupert a little apologetically.

'They are with Guinevere?' asked Arthur.

'Yes,' said Rupert in surprise, 'she who was lately Lady Morgana's servant.'

Without waiting for another word Arthur turned and strode towards Gwen's house. Rupert raised an eyebrow that the Prince should so expertly know his way.

*

It had been some months since Arthur was last in Gwen's house and although the room's familiarity brought him a feeling of warmth, it was under very different circumstances that he had last entered her door. On that occasion he had doubted he would ever stand here again. His mind wandered to Rupert. He had appeared somewhat troubled by Brand and Lillian's appearance. He had tried to hide it but Arthur was, as far as his men were concerned at least, an expert at reading body language, in battle such astute observations could mean the difference between life and death.

Arthur looked for Gwen as he entered and they exchanged a brief look, he next looked for Brand but saw only a stranger. It was not until the man stood and offered his hand that he knew him.

'I'm sorry Brand,' said Arthur. 'I had no idea this would happen.'

'My father was a foolish man Arthur he traded my life for a magic trick!' That sounded all too familiar to Arthur.

'And this aging happened when?' asked Arthur indicating that Brand should sit down again. Ayden helped him back into his seat.

'As soon as I left you in the forest, when I arrived home at the forge I found Lillian growing older, her hair already grey. And she told me straight away that you could not complete your quest without me, you cannot destroy the stone without me.'

'So you are the smith that made the swords Brand.'

'Yes I am, but I am not fit now to even wield a hammer. I don't know what I can do to help you.'

'And where is Lillian?' asked Arthur in concern.

'She is in there Arthur,' interjected Gwen, ' behind the curtain, Gaius is with her.

When Arthur looked at Gwen he could not hide the warmth f his affection. 'How is she?'

The Prince had only had to look at the pained expression on Brand's face and the boy's red-rimmed eyes to get his answer.

'She yet lives,' said Brand 'and so I hope …I do hope,' he said as though he were trying to convince himself.

Gaius walked out from the curtain that screened Lillian's bed. In a low voice he talked to Brand and the blacksmith King took his son's hand and went to his wife.