Friday!
I'd like to say a big thank you to you who spent some of your time writing a review. They always make me smile and encourage me to write. Special thanks to Maya, Chris, Someone from Ireland and SeverusHermioneForever. Thank you a lot too for the messages, favourites and alerts. =)
Oh, I have to share this with you otherwise I'll go mad! I'm so excited to see him again tomorrow! Yes, by 'him' I mean Uther... oh, Anthony Head playing Uther, better saying! *sighs* I miss him so much!
Well... but for now... Uther said someone should get dressed, if I remember well.
Have fun! ;)
Previously...
"Maybe you're right." Uther looked at her. He knew very well how pregnant women sometimes have confused emotions. He doesn't want anything or anyone to make Morgana's special moment anything less than amazing. "I won't tell her a word. And I won't banish you. But listen to me very carefully, Morgause! As soon as the winter ends and the roads to the north are open again, I want you to leave." He said very seriously. "Did you get it?"
"Y-yes sir. Thank you!" She cursed herself for demonstrating him her surprise.
"Good." He dressed his cloak again and walked to the door. "Meanwhile, I'll keep an eye on you." He said in his most royal voice. "Oh, and get dressed. The weather is chilling today!"
Chapter 26
So Uther left and the lady was alone once again.
Tears started coming. Morgause slowly sat on the floor, her back still against the cold stone wall. She took her velvet dress and covered her body in shame. Such a thing had never happened to her before!
Morgause remembered when she was very young and found out how easily she could use her beauty to play with men, seducing them and getting whatever she wanted. And, in her entire life until that damn moment, she always gets every man she wishes. Why would it be different with Uther Pendragon? She felt so angry! He would pay for that! Oh, he would! Who does he think he is to say no to her? What does her little sister have to offer him that she doesn't?
The lady got up and sighed, the shock already gone. She wiped her tears away and dressed her best gown. She would be present in the dinner that night. And she would completely ignore the king. Who does he thinks he is?
The king stood in the corridor for many moments, still a bit shocked. Not only he didn't expect Morgause to do that, but what if Morgana had entered and had seen that? She would never believe him, for sure!
"Uther?" Morgana called him in the corridor. Goddess, why does he look so nervous and lost in his own castle?
"Morgana, my dear!" He said still unsettled. "Come here!"
As soon as they met in the middle of the corridor, Uther held her arms and kissed his wife very fiercely, making the queen moan.
"What's the matter, love?" She whispered breathless while caressing his face. Morgana knew Uther. When he looks like that and suddenly kiss or make love to her in such desperate way, something certainly made him feel instable. That was his way to feel in control again. And she always enjoys helping her king with that. However, she also likes to know what would make him feel like that.
"Morgana, whatever happens, whatever someone tries to tell you, remember I love you more than I've loved anybody else!" He said looking into her eyes, amazed to see how bright they were. "More than I love my own life!"
"Uther... what happened to you? You're scaring me!"
"No, no, no! Don't be scared, my dear! Come here!" He hugged her, caressing Morgana's soft dark hair with his still shaking hand. "We love each other and soon we'll have our lovely baby girl!" He couldn't stop thinking he could have lost Morgana if she had knocked is her sisters chambers... or just being there few moments ago and listened to his loud voice in Morgause's chambers. And, he was not ashamed to confess, it scared him a lot!
"Love!" She pulled away with a bright smile, her delicate hands cupping his cheek. "I love you. Nothing will ever change that!"
"No, of course not." He whispered hopeful. "Come... let's go for a little walk." He offered her his arm and Morgana took it with a smile.
Morgause closed the door. She has been discretely looking at them. Secretly she felt jealous. She wished she had that same connection with Agravaine. Why, goddess, why?
Oh! She sighed and walked to the window, her mind wondering about that. She has been so shocked that just after many minutes she realized that the biggest problem wasn't that one. Not only Uther said no to her and asked her to leave as soon as the winter is over, but her plan, the one about seducing Uther and taking Camelot has just slipped from her hands!
"Damn!" Morgause punched furiously the windowsill, the pain in her hands making her think clearly.
Well, Morgana would soon have her baby. And she would play the good girl to her sister. Then the winter would end and she would be forced to leave Camelot... and she would also be forced to leave Morgana in Uther's hands. No, she would stay. She would go to live with Agravaine. She smiled. He surely will receive her with joy and he probably would help her to think in a better plan. Yes, she would go to him as soon as possible! Agravaine is a smart and rational man, he always knows what to do! And, even if he doesn't, he would know many ways to make her feel better! She smirked.
"At least we know many ways of don't break the ruby." Merlin said.
"Shut up, Merlin!" Arthur said pacing in his chambers while Merlin was sat near the fireplace. "We have nothing in our hands!"
"Neither does Morgause." Merlin pointed. "You know, she doesn't have the ruby... so she's in our hands in a certain way."
"Really, Merlin?" Arthur was in a terrible mood. "And what do you suggest? Oh, of course!" The prince said in a dramatic way. "Let's ask her how can we break it?"
That was when someone knocked.
"Yes?" Arthur asked.
"It's me, Arthur." The answer came.
"Come in, father!"
Uther entered and closed the door behind him.
"Father? What happened to you?" Arthur had never seen his father more concerned. "Is Morgana fine?"
"Yes, we went for a little walk and she felt a bit tired." He told his son. "She is resting in our chambers now, Guinevere is with her." Uther said and sighed. "We need to talk." He looked around and noticed Merlin. "Merlin! Good that you're here too. I want you to know about that." Merlin nodded at the king wondering what would make him so disturbed in those nice times.
The three of them sat at the table.
"Come on, father. Tell us what the problem is."
"Morgause." Uther said looking at his hands. Merlin and Arthur exchanged a surprised gaze. "She... she tried to seduce me." The king confessed, feeling better for sharing it with them.
"I know how you feel, sir." Merlin said at him remembering that night.
"Oh, come on!" Arthur said slowly, rolling his eyes in disbelief. "A gorgeous woman tries to make sex with you... and you're both looking like it was a demon!"
"Sometimes I think it is." Merlin said, receiving a grave look from Arthur.
"What if... what if Morgana was in the corridor a couple of moments before? She would never forgive me!" Uther said very guilty.
"Father! Have you..." No, he wouldn't, right?
"No! God, Arthur, no! I'd never..."
"So there is nothing to feel guilty about." Arthur concluded, making Uther feel a bit more relieved. "The woman can't keep her legs closed! Just that!" Uther looked a bit shocked at his son. "What? I don't think there's something we could do about that." He explained himself as his father kept looking at him in disbelief. "I mean, of course she has a wicked intention behind her acts, but she's much smarter than she looks, she does everything in a way it look just like she wants some love... Just like we were the bad guys and she were the poor victim." Uther nodded at that. "She clearly likes sex. It isn't a crime after all... What can we do about that?"
"Nothing." Merlin said, making the men look at him. "However, it gives us a new piece of information." He said with property, earning their attention promptly. "Morgause wants Agravaine to be loyal to her. She doesn't trust you, sire, because of the way you used to deal with magic. Agravaine still wants his revenge. And now she's trying to make us instable. That's why she seduced me and tried the same with you."
"Merlin, what do you mean?" Uther asked.
"I mean, sir, that their revenge is the smallest of our concerns." Merlin said very confidently. "She wants our place. Our role. She wants to live our lives!" He said. "You must be very careful, sir. We all must."
"Merlin... it's foolish." Arthur said. "Maybe she doesn't like my father or us... but she wouldn't hurt her sister."
"No it makes all the sense!" Uther got up in shock.
"And, I must tell you, be ready." Merlin continued. "Because if Morgause doesn't get whatever she wants, she'll surely try to destroy us. And Camelot." Merlin concluded.
The three of them were silent for a moment, trying to absorb it. Uther opened his mouth to say something a couple of times, but he closed it again before he could say a word.
"You know, the most curious part of that is the ruby." Arthur said. "Morgause made the spell to have my uncle's love and loyalty. But if he isn't here anymore, why does she care if we break the spell?" He remembered the little talking they had with Morgause in the courtyard, some weeks ago.
"Oh!" Merlin suddenly had an insight. "Because Agravaine and Morgause probably are still seeing each other!"
"Of course!" Arthur was the one getting up in excitement now. "The night we met her in the courtyard and she told us she was going for a walk... why would a lady go for a walk so late at night and out of the castle? It may be so dangerous, and Morgause knows that! If she was in the gardens, I could believe her story, but... maybe she was going to meet my uncle!" Arthur was so shocked. "Merlin, you're a genius!"
Merlin smiled all proud of himself.
"Well, that's easy to find out." Uther said. "We'll keep an eye on her. When we notice she's leaving, we'll follow her!"
"That's why she almost never dinner with the rest of us." Arthur said to himself.
"Well." Uther got up. "I'd like you both to keep an eye at Morgause. And if she's leaving Camelot at night, come to me and tell me." He said very confidently. "I'll be the one to follow her."
"Father it's too dangerous!"
"I'm the king, Arthur. I owe it to my people."
"Can't you see it's probably what she and Agravaine want?" Arthur asked angry. "The king of Camelot all by himself, God knows where, in their hands!"
"I'm still a good warrior, Arthur." He said stubbornly. "Much better than Agravaine, by the way!" He got up. "Now, I don't want Morgana to know about what we discussed here. She truly loves her sister and she's hopeful Morgause may change." Uther said.
"Sometimes we must take a look at reality, sir." Merlin pointed calmly. "Even if it hurts."
"But not now. Let her give birth to her baby and have a sweet moment." Uther said. "She doesn't deserve even more worries." He walked to the door. "Moreover, I'm sure we're able to solve that by ourselves, right?"
It was a cloudy morning when Merlin and Gaius entered the king and queen's chambers.
"Good morning sir. My lady." Gaius said while Merlin closed the door.
"How do you feel this morning, Morgana?" Merlin walked to the lady.
"A bit heavy..." The queen said, making Uther smile.
"Well, the winter solstice is tomorrow." Gaius pointed. "As we said the past couple of days, your child might be born at any time now."
Morgana and Uther exchanged an excited smile.
"Let's see how little Vivienne is doing!" Merlin helped Morgana to lie down on her bed, very carefully. "Here you are!" He said with a soft voice while touching her belly. Gaius smiled. His pupil would be a great physician some day! He examined not only Morgana and royalty, but every patient with so much attention and love! "You and little Vivienne are healthy and perfect!" He smiled.
"Now we just have to wait, then." Uther smiled.
"I... I'm a bit... afraid of childbirth." Morgana confessed blushing a bit.
Uther, who was sat on the edge of the bed, leaned in and kissed the top of her head.
"Don't be." Uther whispered. "You'll do great!" He kissed her palm. "Just like you saw in your sights, our lovely girl will be born and then we'll be properly a family."
"Moreover, Morgana, you're both healthy, there is nothing to fear..." Gaius said. Morgana nodded at the old physician's comment.
"Well..." Merlin tried. He could see in her eyes that his friend was still very worried. "Maybe I could ask my mother to be with you. She uses to help women during the childbirth in our village."
"I'd feel much better, Merlin." Morgana smiled relieved. Oh, no that Gaius and Merlin wouldn't take good care of her but... she needed to feel protected by a woman, like a mother. And Merlin's mother always makes her feel secure like that.
As soon as they finished to examine Morgana, Merlin and Gaius packed their objects again.
"Here, Morgana." Gaius gave her a flask with a blue liquid. "It'll help you to feel better."
"Oh, thank you, Gaius."
"And remember, if you start to feel..." Oh, how to say? Merlin didn't want to say pain since Morgana was already worried enough. "well... if you feel little Vivienne is coming to say hello, send someone to us, it doesn't matters when!"
When they were about to leave the royal chambers, someone else knocked.
"Mother!" Merlin smiled like a little boy when he opened the door and Hunith entered.
"Hello, son!" She gave Merlin a sweet smile and caressed his dark hair as if he were a little boy. "Sir, my lady..." She bowed to the king and the queen. "I came to see how Morgana is doing."
"What a coincidence!" Gaius smiled.
"Yes!" Merlin continued. "I had just asked Morgana is she wishes to have you helping her during the childbirth."
"Please, Hunith!" Morgana smiled brightly, making the good woman smile too.
"It'd be an honour!" Hunith said. "You look so anxious, child." She said touching Morgana's cheek.
"I... uh..."
"She's afraid of giving birth to her baby." Uther said caressing her soft hair.
"Oh, I see." Hunith sat on the edge of the bed and held Morgana's hands like a mother would do in that kind of situation. "My sweet, I had one only child. However, I've helped many women to have their babies. Of course it hurts but in the moment you see that little face..."
"The pain doesn't scare me." She interrupted the woman, still feeling a bit uncomfortable. She sighed and decided it would be better know about that, whatever the answer was. "Have you ever seen... you know... a mother loose her baby?" She asked looking down.
"Well... yes." Hunith said softly. A sad reality, but a sincere answer was always better than a beautiful lie. Morgana looked at her with her light green eyes wide opened. "But, you see, it had been a very difficult pregnancy. Rachel was an aged woman to have a child and the poor baby had a disease."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Unfortunately his little heart was too weak." Hunith told her. "But try not to think about that." The woman smiled once again. "You're a healthy and strong woman. Gaius and Merlin had assured your baby girl is healthy and you had a tranquil pregnancy. Everything will be fine."
Uther kissed Morgana's hand as the queen sighed.
"Now, Morgana..." Hunith continued. "I came here to practice with you those respirations I've taught you to help little Vivienne's birth."
"Oh." Morgana smiled and looked at Uther who, god knows why, was blushed like a tomato, Merlin noticed. "Will you help me the way we've been doing, love?" She asked the king.
"I... uh... sure!" He was shy. Men didn't used to be that participative during their wives pregnancy... but he was so happy and excited about it! Merlin, however, was trying not to laugh at Uther's embarrass.
Morgana started breathing quick and shortly the way Hunith taught her, the king always holding her hand and encouraging his lady. And soon breathing just like her.
"Good, very good!" Hunith approved it. "See? You have nothing to fear, Morgana." She tranquilized her. "Soon you'll have little Vivienne safe and healthy, sleeping peacefully in your arms." Hunith smiled as she saw the lady's eyes shining.
"Thank you, Hunith." Morgana said. "All of you." She felt a tear coming with her messy emotions. "I wouldn't do it without you."
Uther smiled and kissed his wife softly.
So? It seems little Vivienne is about to come. Let's hope everything goes well.
A little tease about the next one: "Merlin, you turned yourself into a poltergeist!" Oh, don't worry, Merlin is fine... =)
See you next Friday! Have a nice weekend!