THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO READ, REVIEWED, FOLLOWED AND FAVORITED THE VENGEFUL WENCH. NOW THAT I HAVE THE SEMESTER OFF I WILL TRY TO UPDATE THIS STORY TWICE WEEK! I HOPE YOU ENJOY CHAPTER THREE! YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS STORY MEANS ALOT TO ME. I DELIGHT READING ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS AND THE EMAIL ALERTS WHEN YOU FAVORITE OR FOLLOW MY STORY THEY MAKE ME SMILE. I'D BETTER STOP TYPING BEFORE I CRY. SERIOUSLY I CRY ABOUT EVERYTHING I'M WAY TOO EMOTIONAL!
Chapter 3: Birthday Susprises
Twenty Years Later
People were arriving from all over to attend one of the grandest celebrations of the year. Women dressed in the most elaborate gowns chatted showing off the latest fashions and men dressed in the finest suits smiled as they walked into the massive coastal manor that was Pendragon Estates. Arthur Pendragon the son of Admiral Uther Pendragon was celebrating his twentieth birthday and the most esteemed guests were entering the mansion to partake in the festivities.
A dark-haired man with blue eyes walks over to stand beside his younger relative. The two men are cousins, the dark-haired man's father and the blonde-haired man's mother were brother and sister. "This is really turning out to be an impressive party eh cousin? I'm glad I could be here with you instead of at some boring seminar with my mother and father." He elbows a blonde-haired man next to him who is pouting and staring at golden ring on his finger.
"Merlin really this is just another party just like all the other parties that my father throws. It's the same old same old. Where did you say Uncle Balinor and Aunt Hunith were anyway?" He questions spinning the ring on his hand.
"Um Venice I think. I wasn't really paying too much attention." He pats his cousin on the shoulder changing the subject. "So back to your party this marks your twentieth birthday. Think of the freedom, you could ask your father for anything. So what else do you want for your birthday?" Merlin asks.
Arthur looking down at the golden ring engraved with his families seal a dragon with its wings spread wide. He reflects on the conversation he had with his father that morning. Uther just gave him a box with a ring inside told him to put it on and never take it off. Well he had never been a very affectionate parent anyway.
"I don't know what I want I just know that I don't want to be here." He hisses in a voice of sheer frustration.
A dark-haired beauty with long flowing raven locks walks over to stand beside Merlin and Arthur. She smiles at Merlin sweetly, and then she ruffles the blonde hair of her younger brother.
"Great just what I need." He struggles to put his hair back in order. "What is Morgana?" He asks clearly frustrated by the teasing he knows is about to happen.
"Aww what's wrong birthday boy?" He asks him in a voice similar of to that used when entertaining children. "Your party no go so well?" She teases making him pout more furiously. The more he pouts the more his sister laughs at him even harder. Morgana really enjoys teasing her younger brother, well step brother. Uther adopted Morgana when he remarried her mother Bianca almost 10 years ago. Both Morgana and Arthur had spent their earlier life growing up as an only child so she made up for all the teasing a big sister should have done by teasing him over time in any way possible.
Arthur turns his back on them. "Just leave me alone." He says as he walks outside to the balcony.
Merlin's face turns to frown at Morgana. "Do you really have to be so mean to him all the time?" He asks.
Morgana feigns a look of innocence. "What that aww come on I wasn't that mean."
"Maybe not but you know Arthur's birthday is also the anniversary of his mother's death. You can't imagine what he must be going though he never even met his mother." He says solemnly.
Morgana just stares at the direction Arthur left. Maybe she was a little inconsiderate she would apologize and make amends. As she was preparing to go after her brother a handsome man with olive skin asked her for a dance. She almost refused but then he smiled at her and she forget herself and let the handsome stranger whisk her away to the dance floor.
On the balcony Arthur was alone with his thoughts as he gazes out over softly churning ocean below. Every birthday was the same he could never really enjoy himself. He had always blamed himself for her death, she died giving birth to him, often wondered what his mother what she looked like, what her voice sounded like and what kind of person was she. These thoughts hunted his mind often but even much more so on his birthday. His father never even spoke of his mother he used to believe it was because his father was still grieving the loss of his wife. But as the years have progressed he'd notice any mention of his departed mother would almost enrage his father something he never understood.
"Arthur are you okay?" Arthur turns to face Aggravaine, his mother's oldest brother standing in the doorway behind him.
A half-smile is all Arthur can manage to give his uncle as he turns to greet him. "Hello Uncle."
"You miss your mother." He states not questioning his nephew's actions he knows the questions and confusion he must feel for he shares the same loss. When Igraine Pendragon died Aggraviane lost his little sister and his best friend at the same time.
Agravaine places a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Arthur listen to me I know you have questions and I believe I may have some of the answers you seek. It's taken me twenty years to dig through the lies and discover the truth, your mother didn't die giving birth to you, actually she is not dead your father has deceived you." He says with a serious look.
Arthur's blue eyes grow wide with shock. "What are you saying of course she is dead. I don't want her to be dead but she is. I visit her grave every week. Why would you say such a thing?"
"Because it's true. Have you ever wondered why your father never visits his own wife's grave? Why he has never mourned the loss of your mother. Why any time Igraine's name is even mentioned he becomes angry. Arthur please, you have to know these are not the actions of a man grieving the loss of his wife."
Arthur considered his uncle words think he had always questioned his father's odd behavior about his mother. But now all that his uncle says seems to ring true to him. "Okay let's say you're right what proof do you have to offer me?"
Agravaine smiles. "Your father will be away several hours tomorrow. If you want proof break into your mother's mausoleum. If I am telling you the truth you will find the tomb empty. Arthur believe what I say there is so much more to this story but you have to trust me."
The Next Day
"This is a really bad idea Arthur." Merlin says as Arthur is kneeling at the lock to his mother's mausoleum. Uther Pendragon had left the manor two hours ago and Arthur convinced Merlin to come with him. He told his cousin everything their uncle had told him last night. Merlin thought both Arthur and his uncle were completely nuts but he decided to go with his cousin anyway. In case Aunt Igraine was in the tomb he didn't want Arthur to face his mother alone.
CLICK.
The lock to the door opened and Arthur stood dusting the dirt from his pants. He looked back at his cousin for support.
Merlin looked uneasy. "Are you sure you want to do this? I know you feel like it's the right thing to do but what if Uncle Aggravaine is wrong what is your mother is really inside are you ready to face her this way?"
Arthur shrugs. "Here or not Merlin I have to find the truth. Are you with me?"
Merlin sighs gripping the crowbar tightly in his hand. "Of course dollop head let's go inside before Uther returns."
They enter the crypt and see a large marble table with a stone coffin resting on top. The name Igraine Pendragon is chiseled into the stone along with her birthdate and the date of her death Arthur's birthday. Arthur's hands gently caress his mother coffin. I've never been this close to her before. Should I open it? It's not too late to turn back. He thinks to himself. No. If I turn back now I'll always have questions. I need answers now. If Uncle is right or wrong I need to know now.
Arthur pushes against the stone coffin. "Merlin the crowbar." As he continues pushing.
"Sure, here."Merlin says handing the metal over.
The stone grinds against metal making an ear-piercing sound. Arthur continues sliding the metal between the openings until at least the stone coffin is open. He continues to push the crowbar further into the metal until he has a clear view of... Nothing.
NOTHING.
The red velvet lined coffin is empty. There is no body or remains of any kind. No keepsakes or mementos of his departed mother. Arthur reached his hand inside maybe there was something inside. His hand closed around a small piece of parchment his grasped the paper tightly.
"What's that?" Merlin asked. Looking over Arthur's shoulder. The parchment contained only two words.
"Helios Blackwater." Arthur read. "Who the hell is Helios Blackwater?"
Why would his father lie about his mother being dead? Why would Uther tell his son from a young age that his mother died why trying to bring him into this world? Who is this Helios Blackwater? He felt his breath quicken as realization of the truth began to sink in. If his father lied about his mother's death what else was he lying about.
Later That Night
Uther arrived home and called his family for dinner. As the servant prepared the dinner table Arthur who was in a deep quiet conversation with Merlin over dinner. Morgana arrived to eat a little later than the others and took her place at the table. Uther was the last to take a seat at the table as he walked with a slight limp in his left leg. It took Uther a great amount of difficulty to take a seat his old injury was acting up again. To all who knew Uther his "battle wound" was a tribute to all the years he had served his country. Only Uther and the little demonic rascal that attacked him all those years ago knew the truth of what really crippled him for life.
Morgana chatted about the events of her day mostly about the latest gossip. Uther feigned interest only mildly while Arthur and Merlin remained silent. Uther noticed his son odd behavior and wondered what was going on.
"Arthur what's wrong son?" Uther asked.
What's wrong? You're a god damn liar and I can never trust anything you say that's what's wrong! Everything is wrong! Arthur thought. You fucking lie to me about my mother you make me believe my whole life that she died while giving birth to me that was a lie! My whole fucking life is a god damn lie and you dare ask me what's wrong!
Arthur takes as deep breath before he answers. "Father I have made a decision I wish to travel abroad. There is so much that I have not seen and I want to discover the world and see new places."
"Of course son that sounds like a great idea. Uther smiles at his son. "Mind you must take Merlin with you." Uther adds.
"Certainly father we'll head out tomorrow." Arthur gives his father a fake smile.
Arthur knew the road ahead would be difficult. His father had hidden the truth from him his entire life he needed to know why. He knew this would be easy but he was certain that the answers were out there somewhere. All he had was a piece of parchment written in his uncle's handwriting. He had known instantly his uncle had left him this vital clue. Arthur was determined now to discover what really happened to his mother by any means necessary.