I was wrestling with different ideas, but I've figured out where I want to go with this. I know we haven't seen Merlin a lot yet, but he will get deeper involved in this as it goes on. Like I said, I want this to focus more on Morgana, but I want to get what's on the outside before I go inside her plans. Reviews are always welcome. Hope you enjoy!
Arthur's body was weak. He felt beaten and fatigued. Midnight never fell so heavy on his heart before.
He got up from his bead and looked out of his window. The moon was bright across the sky. The stars all glimmered.
It all felt like too much to him. There was too much to think about, too much to hope for, too much to fear.
He looked over at Gwen. She slept soundly for the first time in a few nights. How had she been so strong through all of this? She was actually carrying the child in her belly, yet she was stronger than the man who was waiting for it to finally be born. He felt weak. He didn't want to fail his wife or his son, like his father did before him.
Perhaps that was the strangest of all his feelings. He loved his father, but he, in a sense, did fail him. His father's love for him and fear for the unknown eclipsed his better judgement. His actions were the cause for much of the hurt in the kingdom, including his own daughter's, whom he and Arthur both loved dearly. That was another mess entirely.
He didn't want o be him. He wanted to be the best king be could become. He wanted to be the best father he could become.
He needed to get some air and take his mind off of things, if only for a minute.
He walked out of the door and nodded to the guards. The hall was cool. The breeze was light and balmy. He leaned against the stone rail of the balcony and took the air in through his nose. It was his first moment of relaxation in weeks. Hopefully, it wouldn't be the last.
His eyes opened when he heard something. The silence was broken. It almost sounded like fluttering. Arthur shifted his position and turned his head in all directions looking for the source of the sound.
A crow dropped out of the sky and landed on the rail a meter away from him. He looked at it with confusion. It looked back at him in a blank, yet somehow deliberate glare.
He went to walk over to it, but as soon as he motioned to, it flew off further into the hall. He decided to follow.
Arthur walked with a quick pace after the bird. His heart was filled with confusion and a strange giddiness. His walk turned into a jog, then a run as the bird led him through his castle. The world disappeared around him until it was just him and the bird in a huge, empty edifice.
Then it stopped. He smiled at it when it landed, just in front of a corner. It looked back at him. His smile faded. Something wasn't right.
The bird flew up again and turned the corner into the next hall. Arthur looked at his surroundings. It was the hall that let into the throne room.
He turned the corner slowly, walking to the large doors. His pace halted just in front of them. As he went to put his hand on the door to push it opened, he stopped. These was a fear in him. He put it aside and entered.
He looked up at the empty throne. This was his legacy. This was what so many fought over. It might as well have been carved of reddened bones. His legacy, made by his father, was crafted by the life and death of many. He wanted to leave something different for his child. The gravity of being king was enough, not including having to bear the legacy of your forefathers, no matter how bloody.
As he moved closer to the throne, he noticed the crow was sitting just on top of it. It launched itself into the open air and flew towards him. It wasn't slowing down. It was soaring right towards his head.
He ducked sharply and it missed him by inches. With a loud caw, it exited through the open door behind him. Arthur stared behind him for a second in utter befuddlement.
When he turned back around, Morgana was sitting on his throne. She lounged in the chair with a grin on her face.
His heart began pumping wildly. The throne began being overtaken by thorny branches. She began to laugh. His eyesight shook. There was a child screaming. Then he heard Gwen. "Arthur! Arthur!"
"Arthur!" He lunged upwards. He was sitting in his bed Gwen looked terrified. He couldn't say a word. He was still trying to catch his breath. He was soaked to the bone with sweat.
"Arthur, what's wrong?" Her concern was evident.
"Nothing, it was just a dream."
"Are you sure? Do you need to see Gaius?"
"No, no. I just... it was just a nightmare. Besides, he and Merlin are probably exhausted. They need to sleep."
"Yes, but so do you."
"Gwen, really, I'm fine." She looked hesitant.
"Aright. Just promise me, don't stress too much. Everything will be fine." She gave him a small smile and laid back down.
He sat there, thinking, worrying, all in silence. He tried to keep his promise. If he couldn't, he would act like he could.
The morning finally came around after the long, sleepless night. The people rejoiced at the news of the child. There was cheering and excitement, but the Christening would not be for hours. They tried to wait patiently in their homes or pace the streets. People from all over the five kingdoms were lining up at the gates and coming into the city.
In Gaius's chambers, there was silent plotting.
Alice and Gaius were sat at the table eating breakfast. Merlin was pacing back and forth.
"Merlin, please!," Gaius yelled to Merlin.
"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous."
"Just calm down."
"Gaius, we have to act! Morgana may be within Camelot today! We need to stop her! We need to figure this out!"
"Merlin, calm down and sit down! Alice and I were coming up with some plans last night. I will tell you about them as soon as you eat your breakfast. You won't be able to help if you are weak."
Merlin came over to the table and started to eat a bowl of porridge. His heart raced. He ate as fast as he could.
"Slow down, you'll make yourself sick" Alice told Merlin.
He looked up at her with a full mouth. "Sorry."
After Gaius finished his breakfast, he turned to Merlin. "Are you ready to go over what we've planned?"
Merlin put down his nearly finished porridge and looked up at both of them. Gaius put on the table books, both old and new. Alice put a large variety of herbs and flowers out. They both sat down and Merlin stared at them intently. His eyes were filled with nervousness.
"Merlin, you and Alice will discreetly lay out some spells around the city entrance."
"What type of spells?"
"Protection spells. During the excavation of a temple of Nuada, I found a book of war magic." She put her hand on the decrepit book next to her. It's pages were torn and frail, but he could feel it emanating power. "Half of this book is protection magic; some being spells used for protection against magic." She opened to a page and Merlin leaned in closer to look. It was filled with symbols, ingredients, and unfamiliar words.
"So what does this spell do?" He ran his hands over the words and traced the symbols with his fingers.
"This one creates a sort of magical seal. It doesn't necessarily keep magic out like a shield, but it makes a jam. It seizes up the energy and tries to negate it."
"Will it be strong enough to stop Morgana's magic?"
"It should be. If nothing else, it will jam it long enough for one of us to neutralize her spell. We'll cast other spells around the city, but we need to focus on the citadel."
"Right. Gaius, what will you be doing?"
"I'm going to be watching the baby. I'll be trying to lessen any blows that may come to him or his parents."
"No offense Gaius, but have you been practicing lately? Will you be strong enough to stop Morgana of she comes?"
"Like I said, I can lessen it, but it's unlikely Morgana would show up early. You'll be there if she does come. Besides, if the spells work as promised, we won't have to worry about her in full power."
"We'll meet back here. Ready?," Alice asked Merlin.
Merlin and Alice set out the door. Gaius took a deep breath and walked over to Alice's book. He read through it anxiously as if to convince himself it would work no matter what. He could find no flaws in the spell. He turned through the pages. He stopped at a page adorned with silver ink. It was a recipe for spell neutralizing powder.
"The evil power that passes over this mixture will face itself and disperse." Gaius read this and raised a brow. He looked to the herbs required. Equal mixture of five things: salt, cinquefoil, ash, angelica, and anise. He looked over to his cabinets and thought for a moment.
"What else is there to risk?"
Merlin and Alice made their way down to the gate as quickly as possible. The streets were decorated with flowers and bright colors. They were trying to walk fast, but not so fast as to look conspicuous. This had to go exactly as planned, or all would go awry.
"Gaius tells me you were quite talented back in the day?"
"I was sought out by many. I haven't lost any of my old power, but I try to keep low. Bad things happen to the ones who are publicly practicing."
"Do you think that together we might be able to stop her?"
"If we put enough effort in, it should slow her down."
"That wasn't the answer I was hoping for."
"She is powerful Merlin. I imagine at your power right about now. The only difference is, she has access to all manner of spells, and you don't. I hope that soon that can change."
"What do you mean?"
"You need to learn more about who you are and the history of our people."
"You want me to go with you to the holy grounds, don't you?"
"I talked to Gaius about it. He doesn't think it's a good idea. He says you have a destiny here, that leaving would be selfish."
"I appreciate it, Alice, but he's right. I have to stay for Arthur, for Gwen, and now for the prince."
"Then I will make sure to stop by as often as I can with as many books as I can smuggle." She and he laughed together.
They arrived at near the gates. Both carried burlap bags filled with sprigs of cinquefoil. Decorating the ground with thrown flowers would not look suspicious by any means. Under their breath, they muttered "Jam, bata, a shocrú. Flower an Sun, stop an draíocht a thagann os cionn tú." The breeze stopped. There was no movement in the air. The clouds cleared away from the sun. The spell was working.
Merlin and Alice walked back into Gaius's. They stopped and watched him working for a second. He finished his work and poured it into a small vial.
"What is that?" Merlin looked at the tiny container.
"My part of our effort. Are you ready?" He looked at his two companions.
"Yes. Do you have the gifts?" Gaius lifted up the ornate wooden box.
"Lets go."
"I'll see you in a while," Alice said. She hugged and kissed Gaius before he and Merlin went out.
When they entered the room they were in awe. The Throne room was decorated with thousands of white, blue, red, and yellow flowers. Everything was polished and pristine. The sunlight shone through the windows and on to Arthur, Guinevere, and their son. The sight of it brought tears to the pair's faces.
Merlin and Gaius walked towards the child with their gift.
"How nice of you to show up, Merlin! Where the hell were you?" Arthur had a nervous panic in his voice.
"I was out... getting everything ready."
"Really? Is that why I heard you were flitting about throwing flowers around by the tavern?"
"I wasn't flitting! And I'm here now!" Arthur rolled his eyes.
"What did you bring? Come on, open it up."
Merlin opened the chest to show a silver goblet with etchings and rubies set into it.
"Merlin, Gaius, it's beautiful! Thank you," Gwen said with a smile to the pair.
"May we?" Gaius motioned towards the baby.
"Of course!"
Gwen got up and walked them to the crib. Little sounds came were floating out of the top.
The baby was wide awake and cooing. Merlin smiled at him and waved 'hi' with his pointer finger. The child giggled.
"Hello, little one," Gaius said with a teary gaze.
The child had since gained back color. The sun highlighted his fair olive skin. His eyes, both blue and black, shimmered in the rays. Gaius's tincture had done it's job. The sickness was easy enough to cure. Merlin was still skeptical as to how well it worked. Enchantments don't usually heal that easily.
Gaius discreetly pulled the vial from his sleeve and uncorked it. The dusty substance drifted from the bottle onto the floor. He walked away and stood with the knights.
Merlin walked from the crib, and stood a few meters from Arthur at the bottom of the stairs. Arthur looked down to Merlin and Merlin gave him a nod of assurance. Arthur mustered a smile and looked at the great oaken doors, waiting, thinking of the time they would open. When they would open, they would be open to everyone and every danger.
He was tapping nervously on the arm of his throne. Gwen looked over at him with concern.
"Arthur, you must settle. It could have been worse, but it wasn't. Gaius's tonic healed him."
"I'm not worrying about the past Guinevere, I'm worried about now. You said for me not be concerned about one slip, but this is two. You and I both know trouble comes in threes."
"You doubled the guard, all your knights are here, and some knights from Essetir stand guard as well. Lot's sorcerer is just outside the border should the need arise. Nothing is going to happen. Just try to focus on your son and his special day," she assured him. He took her hand and looked into her eyes. He saw total surety. For his sake, and for Gwen's, he had to believe that everything would be alright.
Gaius was standing at the side of the hall with the knights. He had planned for Alice to be there discreetly until the time for her to enter. With her hidden, she could halt a threat with magic, at least long enough for it to be taken care of by the guard.
That morning earlier, after the priest had baptized the child and blessed him under God, Arthur and Guinevere bestowed on him a name. They decided on Mordred. It meant brave, for the child was a symbol of braving all fears. Yet, for all the fears overcome before, it seemed that this day was filled with them.
Arthur's heart about stopped when the doors opened. He saw the lines of people enter. Even after filling the Hall, the line stretched outside through the courtyard. He heard it extended far outside the city gate.
Royalty, nobleman, towns folk, farmers, and the rest of the people all came to Camelot early in the morning. The Kings and Queens from across the Five Kingdoms and different countries rode in and were able to present their gifts first.
As the gifts were being given, Arthur and Guinevere smiled at each other and at their new son. He cooed and squirmed in his cradle. All who gave a gift were repayed with a smile from the baby.
The nobleman had gifts of clothing and rolls of rare fabric. The towns people and farmers had wooden toys, vegetables, and livestock. Just as Arthur had said, any gift was suitable and appreciated. With as many chickens they would receive, the kitchens would be well stocked for months.
Annis came over with two of her men and she presented to the child a small intricately carved oaken chair riddled with gems. She was thanked by both, and they received a large smile and a bow of the head from her.
The kings and queens after Annis were not just from the five kingdoms. They came from all over to see the child and made sure to be on good terms with the family and bless the child with their gifts.
It came to the time for King Lot, Mithian, and Carys to give their gifts. Lot and Mithian went up together. She gave him an outfit made of rare silks and materials and Lot gave him a gleaming sword with a sapphire pommel. As the child reached out for him, a smile played across Lot's face. Mithian laughed at the the king's soft expression.
Carys was being lead across the floor by Mithian's lady in waiting, Cadi. She had an intricately woven blanket with the Pendragon Wyvern sewn into it. She set it down on the pile of gifts near the boy. Cadi scooped up Carys and headed back to Mithian's side while the people laughed.
The knights each came over to the child and presented their gifts. Once after the other knelt on his knee and greeted the child, much to the amusement of Arthur.
The noblemen were presenting when Alice entered the hall. She changed from her tattered garments into a formal gown wrapped in a fur stole. Going through the line, she approached Arthur confidently. Gaius watched Arthur's face for any indication that he somehow knew her. No sign of recognition was on his face.
She bowed to the King and Queen and walked over to the crib. She bowed before the child and presented her gift. It was a Sorceror's chime. Gaius smirked at her genius. She would put healing magic near the child in the guise of a mobile.
Arthur eyed the chime. "What is your gift, citizen?"
"The gift of music, my lord. It is a type of chime that my family has been making for generations." It's crystals dangled and sung their song. Arthur gazed at the chime in curiosity. He turned his head to Guinevere. She gave him a calming smile. His brow lifted from the furrowed look he had and he brought his gaze to Alice.
"Thank you for your patronage." He eased his grip on his chair and sat back again. Alice bowed again and walked back down the room. As she walked to the door, she met eyes with Gaius. She shot her eyes upward and walked out the room. She would be watching from upstairs.
Arthur began to relax as the gift giving continued. He looked over to Gwen. She looked at ease, but she still seemed defensive in a sense. Not that he could blame her, something didn't feel right.
He looked up to Merlin. Merlin was watching the door like a hound. He didn't even notice Arthur looking at him. 'What is he watching for?,' Arthur asked himself inside his head.
A nobleman stepped forward to present his gifts. Before he could even set his present forth, a ruckus bean to occur. The great doors blew open and the hall was filled with an immitigable wind. Flowers and petals were thrown about by the gale and gifts of garments were floating about like multicolored smoke. The wind moaned and the people screamed. Then, it ebbed and all went silent.
Arthur's heart was pounding out of his chest. He and Gwen joined hands. Merlin's breathing began to get heavy.
The sunlight turned into gloom as a figure entered the end of the hall. The people, both royalty and farmer, split down the middle to allow a passage for the shadow.
The figure moved towards the King, Queen, and the little Prince. Adorned with silver armor plates with etchings of thorny branches, the chest and arms glimmered. A silver sword dangled at the figure's side. The sheen of the silver armor peaked out from behind a black cloak. The wind carried the swarthy cloth on it like dark smoke. The clanking ceased. It stopped before the king and knelt. The knights had their hands on the pommels of their swords. They were posed for a fight.
Arthur noticed the thorny branches. His demeanor changed. Anger began to overtake him.
"Who are you, warrior? What is your name?" No remark was made.
Gwen was watching this man from the side of her eye. Her gaze passed back and forth between the figure and Arthur.
"Answer me...Reveal yourself!" Arthur was at the edge of his seat, almost on his feet.
His hand reached up to the clasp of his cloak. It clicked in the silence of the Throne Room. With a final, gentle push of the figure, it fell to the floor.
Arthur felt time stop. No. No, it can't be...
"Gwaine..." This was the only thing that could come from Arthur's mouth.
Hearing the King say the name made people gasp. The Kings and Queens were silent and their guard hovered around them. The nobleman and townsfolk were talking in a slow, rolling roar.
The Knights looked on with a mix of emotions: happiness to see their friend again, shock, for the same reason, pain for the resurfacing grief, horror for what he might have endured. They huddled closer together, but they all stayed back. Teary eyed, they watched him closely.
Arthur's jaw hung open as he grasped for words, but none came. Gwaine said nothing. He only stared at the king with a piercing gaze.
Whispers and murmurs were circling around. The hall was in a silent roar. Then they too began to stop. Everyone turned their heads to the end of the hall once more. Arthur looked down at the end of the hall. His heart stopped. Why were they silent. They should be saying something. He looked over to Gwen, but she saw something. She caught a glimpse of something at the end of the hall. Her chest stopped moving. She was holding her breath. A single tear escaped from her terrified gaze.
The group began to part. They moved back with caution and weariness, not daring to say a word. Muffled sobs stirred the silence. The thunder in the distance ringed softly through the hall. There was one more sound. Clicking. A woman's shoes rhythmically clicked against the wooden floor.
Arthur could finally see. Black hair. Pale skin. Proud beauty.
Morgana.
He looked down to Merlin. Merlin stepped closer to the child's crib. His eyes were filled with disdain. A hint of fear glinted off of the near tears.
Morgana made her way to Arthur and Gwen. She carried a flowering branch of blackthorn like a scepter. A form fitting midnight colored garb hugged her body and flowed after her at once. It dragged as she walked to the monarchs with conviction.
Her face looked pleased, but there was a baleful look in her eyes. She exchanged glances with the royalty. Her and Annis gave each other death glares. Lot pushed Mithian, Carys, and Cadi behind him.
As she moved to them, Merlin saw her beauty. It was not one of purity, or innocence anymore. This was a sinister, commanding beauty. It was the beauty of dark, forbidden things.
She stopped in front of Arthur and Gwen with a clang of her stick on the floor, giving them both a bow of the head. She looked Arthur in the face with a half smile. The only look he could achieve was one of frustration. Gwen tried to hold a cool appearance, but her insides were turning over.
Gwaine kissed her hand, got up and stood behind her. The knights' breathing hastened and they tried to hold themselves back.
"What a lavish celebration, Arthur. I haven't seen one so sumptuous in quite some time." She moved forward a few steps, walking up one stair. She looked behind her, then back to her brother.
"Look how diverse a gathering... the royalty," she nodded over toward the Kings and Queens "the nobility," she looked over to the knights and the wealthy, "...even the peasants and vagabonds." She shot a look to Merlin with a vicious glint in her eye. She looked back to Arthur. "You can imagine my surprise at not being extended an invitation." Her ire peered out of her words.
"You aren't welcome here, witch!" Percival stepped forward toward her, but he was stopped by Leon's arm, who was still watching Morgana. She turned toward them and smirked.
"Aw, don't be like that. You wouldn't want to upset Gwaine, would you?" She touched Gwaine's cheek with the back of her hand and he inhaled deeply, turned his head, and kissed her hand. The knights fidgeted in a silent fury at her display of dominance. Gwen interrupted the silence.
"Why have you come, Morgana? This is a Christian ceremony, and you are a high priestess of the Old Religion. There is nothing for you to gain here," Gwen said strongly from her throne. Morgana raised her brow and looked up to the Queen.
"Gain? Come now Gwen, this is a day for giving. I too have a gift for the child."
"We do not want your gift. Leave this place," Arthur said looking down at the floor.
"But you've already received my gift to you, dear brother. I thought you might have wanted to see Gwaine again, and ease your grieving heart. Truthfully, you're serving boy could have lessened the shock. I did send him a message of sorts saying where Gwaine was."
"He never received such a message. He didn't tell me. He... he would have told me."
"Oh, to be sure... unless if he didn't want you to know something." She looked at Arthur from the side of her eye, and he was left confused and embarrassed. She let out a soft chuckle and began to walk over to the cradle.
She stopped suddenly in front of the crib. She sensed something. When she looked down, she smirked. Gaius's heart sank. She slammed the end of the branch into the powder and a wind carried it away. Her sudden movement caused people to gasp. She moved one step closer.
She rested her hand on the side and smirked at the child. It gave her a small smile back. It cooed and reached out for her. She pulled out the black crow's feather from her hair and laid it next to the baby.
She turned away from the child and faced the people. "Behold! The Prince of Camelot!" She lifted her arms and a wind lifted her sleeves and loose fabrics. Her hair danced around her like black fire. "He will grow in strength and in allure, beloved by all the people in the Five Kingdoms." The once warm breeze now felt stormy, crackling with cold power. "But..."
"Before the moon rises on his sixteenth birthday, he will prick his finger on the spine of a blackthorn tree and die!"
She yelled this, and her voice boomed with strength across the hall. She struck the floor near the cradle with the branch and an explosion of thunder sounded. The branch began to grow and twist until it made itself into a sapling that grew like a thicket around the crib.
"Men, capture her!" Arthur stood and pulled out Excalibur. The people scurried backward away from the scene. The knights pulled out their swords and swarmed around her. Gwaine armed himself and stood in a fighting position, but no concern overcame Morgana.
She nodded her head to one of the windows and it was blown out with such force it left the knights on the ground and shielding themselves. She grabbed Gwaine's shoulder and they turned into a dark mist and disappeared.
The ghost of her laugh was left within the haul. Panic set into the people. The guards tried to surround the royals, the nobleman tried to rush out the door, but the towns folk rushed in front of them. Everyone was screaming and shoving each other. Whether they were rich or poor, it did not matter, they were all people terrified.
Arthur could hear nothing but the blood pounding in his ears. The world began to spin. He had failed his child.
Gwen and the knights were trying to calm the people who were rushing out the doors quicker than a river. They didn't hear her voice over their own screams.
Merlin looked at Arthur, then to Gaius. Gaius was in total shock. Merlin ran over to Arthur to help him get out of the hall through one of the side doors. Gwen maneuvered around the thorny crib and grabbed the screaming child and followed swiftly after them.
Merlin sat Arthur down in the council room. There were screams, but he could barely hear them. His vision became blurred. The world pulled away from him. Then there was nothing but a quiet, motionless darkness.