I like the suggestion, that I should continue this story. Probably three chapters would do it. I didn't know where it would take me; I found it interesting to write. I know it reads as paranormal, but so is magic. Isn't it? I hope you will enjoy.
In Dreams
2
Arthur had grown accustomed to staying in bed late into the morning. Half awake, he snuggled next to his sleeping wife. On those cold mornings, all he had to do was press his flesh to hers and steal the heat she generated. Being, eight months pregnant, she was like an oven. He also like the way she smelled and the touch of her skin. It seemed to glow. At the beginning of her pregnancy, her odd requests for strange food concerned him. How does one find pickled eggs at three in the morning without waking half the castle? At one meal, the smell of desserts repulsed her, while the burnt crackling skin of a suckling pig made her delirious with joy. Her constant crying had him on the edge for weeks until it stopped. Somewhere toward the middle of her pregnancy, she'd found a happy medium. She began to accept the fact that her body was no longer her own.
During the night, she'd found her usual position, spooning into him and holding on to his arm as he nestled her belly. From this position, he could feel the baby move. It often did cartwheels early in the morning. He feared his child would be a circus performer with all his gyrations. He'd rub Gwen's stomach and the child would calm itself for awhile. It was during these times, when he was half awake; he would fall into the most incredible dreams.
The dreams felt real and lucid, and they always included the small boy he thought to be his future son. Maybe seven or eight years old, tall and lean for his size, with a mop of black hair and the bluest eyes he'd ever seen. He had a hint of his mother's coloring, her playful mouth and shy laugh. In these times with the boy, he didn't feel like a king, a ruler of a great country, just someone's father. At first this idea terrified him but now as he lay next to the woman he loved and dreamed of his unborn child, he felt fearless.
"I hope that's you knee," Gwen said to him, her voice still heavy with sleep. She stirred him from the edge of his dream. She turned her heavy body into to him until they faced each other. He kept his eyes close, wanting to savor the remnants of the dream.
"No, that's not your knee," she said playful. He opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"May I remain you are speaking to your king," he said formally. She laughed and then she winced.
"What?" A panic Arthur reached out to her.
"Oh, nothing, this child of your is extremely busy this morning. Please speak to him," she said still wincing.
Arthur placed a hand on her enlarged stomach and rubbed it gently.
"Now listen young Pendragon, you are not to cause your mother fits yet. You have years and years to do that young man." Arthur scolded.
"Why do you insist this is a boy," Gwen shook her head.
"Only a boy could cause so much trouble." Arthur tried not to laugh. Gwen playfully slapped at him.
There was a knock on their bedroom door. They both knew who it was.
"Are you decent," Merlin yelled. Arthur groaned, and Gwen giggled.
"Yes, Merlin we are decent," Gwen said.
"Speak for yourself," Arthur said, slipping out of bed. He watched as Gwen struggled to prop herself up. Each day was getting harder and harder. He often found leaving her difficult: to go out on patrol with his men and not be with her.
Merlin emerged into the room with a large tray of food. He gave Gwen a warm smile and smirked at Arthur. He placed it on the table to set up for the morning meal. He made a plate for Gwen and brought it to her.
"Remember, you're my servant," Arthur said snidely.
"Gwen's Ladies-in-Waiting would attend her in the morning, but you're such a grouch, they're too afraid to enter," Merlin said. Arthur gave him a look of righteous indignation.
"You did yell at them dear," Gwen said. Arthur lost the look and sulked to the table to eat.
A half an hour later, Arthur dressed and left for a council meeting, leaving Gwen to watch Merlin cleanup. Before Merlin left to join Arthur, Gwen begged him to stay so they may speak in private.
"What concerns you?" Merlin asked as they both sat at the table. Gwen seemed hesitant how to answer, took a deep breath, and began.
"This may sound strange," she said.
"Strange is my middle name," a smiling Merlin teased. This made her laugh.
"At night….while Arthur sleeps….he….talks…" She began, but stopped, possibly to judge Merlin's reaction.
"Talk?" he prompted.
"In his sleep…"
"In his sleep," Merlin prompted.
"To…someone," Gwen continued.
"Someone?" a confused Merlin's asked. Gwen took another deep breath and mustered her courage.
"Our child. I hear him speak to our unborn child. Is this not strange?" Her eyes begged for an answer.
"He's dreaming," Merlin replied without a doubt. "He can't wait for the baby to be born."
"I know, but their conversations are… odd. It sounds as if the child is older. Arthur gives him advice, talks about Uther and Igraine. He talks about me and how much he loves me. He talks about being a dutiful knight and how to hold a sword properly."
"You know what a dollop head Arthur is. When the child is born, it will pass. He'll be back to his snoring self." Merlin insisted.
A concern Gwen said. "I prefer his snoring to this."
"You worry too much," Merlin said. Gwen sighed, knowing she felt foolish. She gave Merlin a smile to alleviate his worries.
Merlin left, when several maids came in to help Gwen ready for the day. He'd like to think he ended her doubts, but he didn't think so. Merlin went in search of Gaius.
He found the physician stooped over a table mixing herbs. For a brief moment, Merlin hesitated to voice his concerns about Gwen, Arthur and the baby. Whom else could he speak to but his old friend and mentor?
"I think there may be a problem," Merlin began. Gaius arched an eyebrow at him and turned to give Merlin his full attention.
"Problem?"
"Arthur and Gwen's child."
"Does Gwen need me?"
Merlin quickly put up his hand to waylay Gaius' alarms.
"Gwen is suspicious," Merlin said. Gaius shook his head and gave him an 'I told you so', look. Merlin had seen that disapproving look before; when he'd cast that spell on Arthur to save Gwen. Gaius admonished him for it and complained about the repercussions.
"Gwen is no fool, Merlin. Because of you, her child was conceived in magic," the old physician said.
"But it should not have happened, not like that. Only Arthur would think the only way to bring Gwen back from death was to ….well you know," Merlin confessed.
"They are newly married, and this is Arthur you're speaking of. After the wedding, we didn't see him for a week. It took some marauding bandits to pry that boy out of his wife's arms." Gaius gave Merlin a sly smile.
"Yeah that and promise he could go back," Merlin mused.
"So what's the problem?"
"Gwen said he talks to the child while he's sleeping. She's worried." Merlin said. Gaius' scornful look returned.
"They conceived a child on a magical plane of existence. Arthur was conceived from magical. They are akin to each other. When the child is born maybe, it will pass. So for the time being, bring no more attention to it. Gwen and Arthur will be happy to have their child in their arms." Gaius reassured. Merlin left his mentor for his work and went in search of the king.
Merlin wanted to believe Gaius. If it should come to light how his child was conceived, Arthur might not be to forgiving of him. It was just like Arthur not to keep his pants on. Merlin ruminated about this when he found Arthur finishing up the last of his meeting in the council chamber.
"Where have you been all morning?" Arthur scolded.
"Things," Merlin said innocently. Arthur gave him a rueful look. "Did I miss something?"
"Yes, Morgana," he said. "There have been sighting around the forest of Camelot. I suppose the news of Gwen's pregnancy finally got to her. I'm afraid she might do something to harm them."
"I would never let that happen," Merlin said too quickly. Arthur raised an eyebrow at that.
"That comforts me to no end." Arthur said snidely. "I'm sending out more patrols just in case. In all seriousness, help me keep an eye on Gwen. I know she loves going to the lower town, but until the rumors of Morgana are gone, she'll have to curtail her visits."
Merlin nodded in agreement.
For the rest of the day, Merlin followed Arthur around as he trained his knights, inspected the armory and worked out a new horse. He served dinner to Arthur and Gwen as they had a quiet meal together. Despite his role as servant, they often included him in their dinner conversation.
"I promised Annie I see her sister's new baby," Gwen complained of Arthur's new restriction on her.
"Sorry love, but until Morgana is found you will stick close to the castle." Arthur insisted.
"What if I take one of the knights with me?" Gwen looked hopeful.
"They are no match for Morgana," Arthur said.
"He's right," Merlin chimed in. Gwen gave them a scornful look.
"She is full of hate and evil, and I will have her nowhere near you," Arthur insisted.
A frustrated Gwen huffed, complained and finally left the two men when they would not yield to her. They day had been long, and the weight of her pregnancy was taking its toll lately. She was always tired. When she finally made it to her bed chamber, she had to ask one of the maids to help undress. She had just enough energy to brush her hair and braid it before slipping between the cool sheets. It took her only a moment to fall into a deep sleep.
"Hello mother," a young man said.
Gwen stood at one end of the long corridors that looked out onto a courtyard, at the other end stood a tall, young man, maybe sixteen or seventeen. He wore the crest of the Pendragon on his chainmail. He stared back at her with the familiar eyes of her husband. Gwen held her breath as he slowly walked towards her.
"You are…" she could not find the words.
"Yes mother," he said when came close to her and bent down to kiss her on the cheek. He had his father's smile. She couldn't help but gaze into his face. Her finger traced a small scar on his jaw line and brushed the soft, loose curls of his dark hair. Her eyes burned with tears. Only then did she realized she was no longer pregnant.
"Oh, please don't weep mother. We have such little time here," he said softly to her.
"Where is here?" She said, looking around the empty castle.
"That doesn't matter now, I must show you something." He insisted and took her gently by the arm.
"Your father… he speaks to you," Gwen said as her grown son walked them along empty rooms and corridors.
"Yes. He is very full of advice," the young man mused.
"This is very confusing," Gwen said. "Am I dreaming?"
"In a way."
Gwen stopped and turned to him. She gently stroked his face and took a long measure of him.
"What is your name?"
He smiled. "What would you like to call me?"
Gwen stared at him for a time.
"Gwydre, I think," she said, returning the smile.
"I like that, but we must not linger mother," he said and led her away again. Several moments later, he had taken her to an area of the castle she'd never been before. It lay near the tombs of Arthur's ancestors. She didn't liked the place, and never accompanied Arthur when he went to pay tribute to his entombed father.
"Why have you brought me here," she asked. The place was dank and lit with only the glow of a few torches.
"What I show you is hided, and forgotten," Gwydre said.
Gwen stared at the statues of Camelot's ancient kings. Their imposing figures loomed over her in marble, with their solemn faces and cold facades. Gwydre took her to stand before once such statue.
"This is King Esmond who reigned over Camelot over two hundred years ago," Gwydre gazed upon the strong face, as well.
"Why have you brought me to him," Gwen asked.
"It is not Esmond I bring you too," he said. "It is her." Gwydre stepped around to the back of the statue to reveal a small passageway. He took a torch from the wall and held out his hand to her. Gwen took it tentatively and allowed him to guide her to a small, hidden chamber. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust.
"This is Esmond's Queen, Gaenor." Gwydre held the torch up to the sculptured features of a beautiful but intense looking woman.
"I've never heard of her," Gwen confessed.
"Few have. King Esmond died in battle on his thirty-fifth year leaving his wife a widow at twenty-five. She'd already had three children by the king. She was left to raise them alone. She refused to married despite the urging of her council and set out to make a kingdom for her children. Many tried to take her crown, all failed. When her eldest son came of age, he took the crown and set the kingdom on a path we are today."
"She must have been amazing," Gwen said in awe.
"She was. She dealt with border disputes, mad kings, magic and a council of men who doubted her. She taught herself the bow and sword. She held her people together until her son took the throne. It was he who built this statue of her. It used to be in the main square of the old lower town, before the castle was built. It stands here now hidden behind her dead husband."
"Why have you brought me to see her?" Gwen asked.
"Because mother, this woman would not have suffered at Morgana's hands. Without hesitation, she would put an arrow through the witch's heart. This is who you must become to protect me, and father and to protect, Camelot."
Gwen stared at her son confused and in doubt. She was no warrior Queen. However, she knew her son had evaded her dreams to tell she had to be this kind of woman.
"I don't know…" Gwen faltered.
"You must know. Soon Morgana will come to you and if you do not become like Gaenor, the future as I have shown you will not exist. I will not exist." He gazed deeply into Gwen's eyes, and she knew this to be true.
"What must I do?" She said with deep resignation.
"When you awake you must come to this place. At the base, of the statue is a compartment the holds something of Gaenor. You must wear it on your person," he said.
"Is it magic? Arthur will not understand," she warned.
"It only negates magic. However, in my time, father will embrace magic once again, but for now, keep it secret."
"I don't know if I can do this on my own," she confessed.
"Ask Merlin, he will help you and keep your secret. He is an excellent keeper of secrets," Gwydre smiled at her. Gwen took a deep breath and nodded. She trusted Merlin with her life. Now she trusted him with her son's.
"When will I see you again?" She asked as he guided her out of the room. Gwydre bent down and kissed his mother gently. They held hands tightly.
"If all goes well, in time mother," Gwydre said. Gwen felt something pull at her from the corners of her mind. She suddenly felt exhausted.
"Sleep mother and sweeter dreams than these," he said softly, as he words trailed away.
It was barely daybreak when Gwen awoke suddenly with the gentle sounds of Arthur snoring. He lay next to her deep in sleep. She felt disoriented for a moment as she struggled to rise from bed without waking her husband. She felt the weight again of her child as she waddled away from the bed. She wrapped a thick knitted shawl around her, slipped on some shoes and eased to the door of the bedchamber. She knew if Arthur awoke without finding her there, he would raise the alarm. Despite her condition, she had to be quick and silent. She held her breath as she slowly eased the door open, keeping an eye on a sleeping Arthur all the while.
"Gwen," a voice from behind her said, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin. She turned to see Merlin.
"I couldn't sleep…," he said rubbing his eyes.
"Merlin I need your help," Gwen pleaded as she closed the door behind them.
"For what?" Merlin yawned. She grabbed him by the arm and hurried down the hall.
"Morgana is coming!"