Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness.

~ Euripides

Chapter 13: The Village Threat

"Are you sure?" Hunith asked setting a cup of tea right next to Richard.

"Unfortunately yes."

Richard had arrived back in Ealdor close to sunset and was now in Hunith's house along with Balinor, Abel, the Druid Elder and his wife Gina. Gina had been informed everything and she had been just as angry at Uther as Richard had been for what he had put Balinor through and let him know immediately that she wouldn't be quick to turn him away either.

"I heard it myself," said Abel. "He considers the loss of this village and its people a minor sacrifice." He took out the pouch of gold that Cenred had thrown to him and placed it on the table. "This was the only sacrifice he made in regards to this plot."

Hunith shook her head disapprovingly. "Cenred might be lax towards protecting his people but this is over the line," she said in a scolding manner as if Cenred himself could hear her. Balinor thought if he were then Hunith's voice would make him flinch.

"We're sorry my lady," the elder said.

"Please, call me Hunith," she insisted.

"Besides, it should be me that is sorry," said Richard. "My plan didn't work."

Balinor wasn't going to have his friend blame himself. If it was anyone's fault then it was his own for bringing this on this village on the first place. "It's not your fault Richard, it's mine."

Gina slammed her mug of tea down hard on the table. "You all could exchange taking the blame all day but I doubt it's going to help the village no matter who wins so can we just skip over it and figure out what we are going to do next!" This made all the men at the table look over at Gina with slightly stunned expressions on their faces. Gina huffed for a moment before their gazes suddenly added color to her cheeks. "I'm sorry, sometimes I can't help myself lately," she mumbled as she lightly rubbed her baby bump.

"No, the young lady is right," the Elder said. "Issuing and taking blame will do nothing for the current situation. We should be focusing our energy into making a plan to help Ealdor out of the worst case scenario."

"Balinor," said Abel. "You have to leave immediately, you and Kilgharrah."

Balinor shook his head furiously. "I'm not leaving Hunith and the rest of the villagers to be struck down on my behalf."

"Are you planning to stay here Balinor?" the Elder asked wide eyed. "Uther will kill you without hesitation. I would advise that you take the villagers and abandon the village before they arrive."

"That won't work," said Richard. "Many people here are stubborn and won't leave. They would sooner give Balinor to save their own necks."

Balinor clenched mug of tea harder. "They would be fools. Uther won't let them live. He has no plans to leave any survivors. He doesn't know that Cenred already knows he is coming and won't believe the words of any one here that say otherwise. Hunith, you should flee with the Elder and the others."

"Richard and I will leave with you Hunith," said Gina who had Richard nodding in agreement.

"Balinor," Hunith tugged on his shoulder. "If I leave it won't be without you."

"If I run, Uther will simply slaughter the village effortlessly and continue his quest for me until he has found me again. If I stay, at least he and his men will have the fight of their lives even if we do fall. This might also buy time for the villagers to run when they see what Uther is trying to do."

The Elder only grew somber from Balinor's statement. "I commend your bravery young lord but this would only end with yours and Kilgharrah's death along with the village. You are the only ones left of your kind. Losing you would be too heavy a loss for our world."

Balinor had been prepared to stand up against Uther in regards to Richard's plan but if he had to do it without the support of Essetir soldiers then he still would. Uther can't keep getting his way. "I just can't leave all of these innocent men, women and children to join Uther's long line of innocent people to die for the sake of his vendetta against magic. If we are to leave, we can at least make sure they leave also."

"That won't be possible," said Hunith. "Something tells me our Headman won't compromise in abandoning the village. Jack can be reasonable but even he won't believe that a king will come by and kill them all without batting an eye. Simmons will be even less supportive of the idea and many people respect his decisions. Short of seeing how serious Uther is with their own eyes, they won't run."

"What can we do then? I'm fresh out of ideas," said Richard. "And I have to leave to deliver this order to the Southern Battalion," he took out the parchment that Cenred gave him. "If I don't, Cenred has my name and he will be after me as well. The orders are to bring you to Cenred Balinor."

"What's the order say exactly?" he asked.

"Cenred ordered that the battalion come to Ealdor, receive you and then take you with them to Denbar. It's a city on the southeastern part of the kingdom. Balinor, you'll have to be out of here by the time they get here."

Balinor stroked his chin lightly as he stared at the letter. "How long would it be before they get here exactly?"

Richard was a little thrown back by that question but he thought on that. "Well…it would take me about three hours to get to the fort and it would take over half a day before all the troops could abandon the fort and get here."

"How many men would that be exactly?"

"Roughly five or six hundred."

"Why are you asking about this Balinor?" Hunith was confused on how all of this mattered now.

"I think there might be a way to help the village after all. I have a plan and I think we'll be able to salvage your final part of the plan slightly after all."

"What is it Balinor?"

"First, I have to send a message to Kilgharrah and see if Uther has started his march and if he has then how much time we have left before he gets here."

Kilgharrah flew high through the night sky right over the border areas between Camelot and Essetir. The moonlight was being diluted thanks to a thickening cloud cover which helped mask his appearance even more from human eyes that were clinging to the sky. His own golden eyes were honed in on the ground to find any sign of Uther's approaching army. His draconian ears heard a soft rumbling from further up ahead and he shifted course. He rose higher to the cover of the clouds as he approached the source of the noise. He soon gazed upon a series of small lights from torches. There were so many men and colossal machinations which looked like high grade catapults.

"Uther," he growled to himself.

No. Kilgharrah wanted nothing more than to begin raining down fire and reducing Uther and his men to ashes. Yet, he had to hold back that impulse. At the moment, Uther believed that his plans were still safe and unknown to them. If he acted out of turn like this and Uther escaped then he would know that he was found out. What was planned would bring more trouble and problems for Uther more than anything that he brought down himself. It was also more fitting as it would be born from Uther's own arrogance. Much like Cenred's arrogance was being utilized on their behalf.

"Your time will come Uther," Kilgharrah vowed with a mumble before he turned around and looked out into the distance towards Essetir.

"Balinor," he called out to his dragonlord. "I have found Uther's force. They are two days away from the border and Ealdor."

It wasn't long before Kilgharrah received a mental reply. "Two days? Thank you my friend. Me and my other friends appreciate this. Return back here as fast as possible."

His wings began to flap harder to begin his trek back. "I am on my way."

Balinor broke out of his trance and looks upon all the people that were staring at him curiously. "Uther will be here in two days. Richard, you should get some rest so you can ride to the fort in a few hours."

"Why exactly should I wait again?" he asked.

"Your plan was to have Cenred's forces as well as the sight of Kilgharrah be enough to make Uther retreat with his scheme foiled. The men from that fort alone might not be enough to make Uther retreat but it should be enough to distract and detain his men from striking at the villagers long enough for us to help everyone escape. Kilgharrah will also help in evening the score for that battalion."

"That's a sound enough plan," said the Elder. "It might just work."

"But where will everyone go?" asked Hunith. "Many of them have lived here all their lives. Perhaps we should try to convince them to come along with us for safety."

"And where is safe exactly?" asked Gina. "Where will we be going?"

Abel reached over to calm the nervous child bearing woman. "Have no fear. There is a place swamp in the region that we druids have been fleeing to for the last two years. It should be safe for us to take everyone for the time being."

"Will that be alright?" asked Hunith.

"Of course," the Elder said. "Our people hiding there will be happy to take everyone in."

"Then let's hope it works," said Balinor.

But the Elder druid held up his hand. "Yes but remember Balinor. All of that is actually the easy part. The hard part is convincing the people to leave with us."

"That's why, tomorrow while Richard rides to the fort and back, I'll have to explain everything to Ealdor myself. I just hope I can convince them that they'll have to leave or they will be killed."

Uther was in his command tent that night overlooking a map before he went to bed. Ealdor, it was a village that didn't have any strategic advantage that he could see. There was no natural barrier other a series of caves nearby to deter his men. He could easily get his army and artillery in close to Ealdor to attack and destroy the dragon and dragonlord. The victory he achieves in this village would eliminate the last of these magical menaces forever. It would send a strong statement in his war on magic and also reclaim the pride that Balinor had stolen from him when he and his beast escaped.

As for another man in that camp, he was also thinking of the inevitable battle in two days. Sir Tate was given the task to dispose of any witnesses from Ealdor that might spread word that Camelot had trespassed in Essetir. He wondered if he would be able to carry out the execution of common villagers as he had never killed anyone outside the field of battle before.

The villagers were very surprised by the sudden meeting that was called for. Jack, their headman, was approached by both Balinor and Hunith early that morning and he requested that all of Ealdor gather for an important announcement concerning the safety of the town. They wouldn't tell him the reason for it and only agreed because Hunith insisted that it was urgent. When the village all gathered together, Simmons let his impatient mood show for everyone.

"Alright, now what is this all about?" he demanded with a few people nodding their support for answers.

Jack moved to get the people from getting riled up. "Easy, easy everyone. This village gathering was called because Balinor and Hunith have urgent news to share with everyone."

Hunith ran her hand down Balinor's back for comfort and he nodded that he was ready. Balinor took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I'm sorry to have sprung all of this on you all of a sudden but there is something very dangerous about to happen in Ealdor. It threatens the lives of everyone living here."

The people all started to get nervous looks on their faces. One village woman pulled her young daughter closer to her. Even Jack looked a little worried.

"What are you talking about?" Simmons spat. He still didn't like Balinor any better than he did the day he first arrived.

"An army is heading this way. It's led by Uther Pendragon, the King of Camelot and he's coming here to destroy this village and he intends to spare no one. He'll be here sometime tomorrow and everyone must be gone before then."

His announcement made all of the villagers gasp and break into a small panic.

"Wait! Wait!" Simmons roared as he came forward himself. "You say Uther Pendragon, Camelot's king is coming here?! How exactly do we know you are telling the truth?!"

"He is!"

The people turned to see the druids walking forward from Hunith's house. The removed their hoods as they went to stand by Balinor.

"We heard news about Uther's plans and came here to warn all of you."

"Then we must send word to Cenred!" said Jack. "He could send soldiers to protect us."

"We already tried that," Hunith said. "The king has no interest in protecting us."

"You're lying!" Simmons shouted. "Cenred wouldn't allow another king to step into his lands."

"It's true!" Abel stepped in to defend Hunith. "I was there. Cenred considers your lives worth very little. He means to allow all of you to die so he could justifiably declare war and draw in support from other rulers and warlords. He won't help you."

"But why?" a woman shrieked. "Why would he want us dead?"

Hunith and the druids looked uncomfortably at Balinor. This was the part they were all dreading.

"I'm afraid…that he is coming here because of me."

"You?" asked Jack. "Why would Uther come here with an army just for you?"

Balinor walked off and gave a roar to the sky. The villagers were confused until the sound of wings were clearly heard followed by the sight of the Great Dragon appearing and touching down in the field.

"It's because I am the last dragonlord and my friend is the last of the dragons," he announced to the gobsmacked expressions of the villagers. "You don't have to fear him or me. We don't want to hurt anyone. Truth be told, he and I have come to regard this place as one that we would be happy to call home and we don't wish to see it destroyed or its people harmed in any way."

Kilgharrah stood firm and tall. "He is correct," he said in agreement.

The villagers were frozen in both fear and amazement at the sight of the dragon. The beast by sight alone was impressive but for him to speak like that to them, it was awe inspiring. Only one of them was looking at both it and Balinor with rage.

"So," Simmons stepped forward as he pushed people out of his way. "This is all your fault. I knew it. I knew it from the moment you got here that you were nothing but trouble. Now you've brought your troubles out on us."

A few of the people were dropping their gaze from Kilgharrah

"That's not fair," Hunith screeched. "Do not blame Balinor for any of this. He's done nothing to harm anyone here."

"He's done nothing but harm here," Simmons argued. "If he never came here then Uther wouldn't be coming here at all. If that is what he wants then I say we let him have him and his beast."

"I'm afraid its too late for that," said the Elder druid. "Uther has ordered that this village have no survivors. He comes to destroy them, yes, but he doesn't want word of what he has done to be leaked out so he won't allow any witnesses to go. If any of you talked then war against him would break out."

"Then we can just promise that we won't say anything to Cenred. In fact, you already told us that you went to Cenred already so there would be no point in killing any of us anyway."

Balinor shook his head. "Then you're a fool. Uther won't be reasoned with. Believe me, I've tried that. He would never take the word of a peasant, he's too proud for that. You hand me over then all he would do is simply order his men to slaughter and torch the village regardless. He would probably run you through personally. He will spare no one and I've seen personally that he has no qualms with executing children either. The only hope any of you have is to pack up what you can and flee this village while you can."

"But where will we go?" asked Jack. "Most of us have never known anything beyond life in Ealdor. Myself included."

"We can help you." The Druids extended their hands out. "We have a place you can all go for safety. We promise to help in any way we can."

"Why should we listen to you," Simmons barked at them. "We don't know the first thing about any of you. You're survival may rely on running from Uther but not ours. We shouldn't abandon our homes, our lives for your sakes. For all we know Uther truly has no plans to kill anyone outside of you people and your giant lizard."

Kilgharrah snarled. "Watch your tone when you address me human," he roared.

Simmons gave a yelp as he fell back into some people in fright.

"Enough!" Jack stepped and helped Simmons back up. "Look…I think it might be best if you all just leave. I can see that you want what's best for the people but so do I and we can't have anyone endangering it. If you are what is drawing Uther and his men here then perhaps it would be best if you just go and leave us in peace. I know you are a good man so we won't trade you like some goat. If and when Uther does arrive tomorrow we will claim that you left days before. I'm sure that once the object of his attention is gone then Uther's interest in us will go with him."

"You are not listening," Balinor howled. "Just one sight of him in another king's land without authorization would be too risky for Uther. He can't afford to let anyone know about him coming here. He won't believe any of you if you tell him that Cenred already knows or that I've already left. He'll just think you're all lying to save yourselves. Tell me Ealdor, are you truly going to gamble your lives, your children's lives with trying to reason with a cold blooded madman?!"

"This meeting is over," Jack announced sending the people off. They all started to disperse and Jack went to the dragonlord. "Balinor, Hunith, Druids, all of you, please…just go."

"And quickly," Simmons added before Jack pushed him off.

"Now what do we do?" Hunith asked him.

Balinor didn't answer her. He just stared after all of the villagers as they scattered away.

Gorlois was sitting by his wife's bedside as she rested to regain her strength. The previous few hours had been very taxing and demanding of her and she was quite exhausted. Gorlois had been pacing outside the room listening to Vivienne's screams as she struggled through the delivery. When it was done her screams had given out and replaced by a softer crying that had made Gorlois want to cry himself. The baby had been taken immediately to be cleaned and treated so he didn't know what it was yet. Now, Gorlois was waiting for Gaius and the midwife to complete their overall checkup of the child that was just delivered. He was snapped out of his blank stare of the wall by soft groaning.

"Gorlois?" Vivienne was stirring.

Gorlois went over and pushed her back down from her shoulders. "Easy Vivienne. You're still weak. You have to stay in bed."

"Where…where's the child?"

"Shh…" he put his fore and middle finger of her lips. "It's okay. It's being cleaned and put through all the custom check-ups."

She settled and relaxed a bit. "What is it?"

"I'm still waiting to hear from-"

The doorknobs were fidgeting and the doors opened up lightly. The midwife peeked her head through.

"Sir?" she whispered.

"It's alright. Vivienne is already up."

She came in all the way and curtsied. "My lord and lady."

Behind her was Gaius with a bundle wrapped in a blanket. "Congratulations Gorlois. Vivienne. You have a healthy and beautiful baby girl."

Vivienne gave off a small squeak. "A girl. We have a daughter."

Gorlois stood to take the child from Gorlois and he went and sat right next to Vivienne. "She is beautiful. Look dear," he said bringing the baby closer.

The baby looked bleary eyed at its two parents. They could make out Gorlois light blue eyes as well as a small sheen of his blond hair at the top of her head. Vivienne went to lightly grasp one of the tiny little hands at the side and was delighted to feel that the palm and fingers were squishy.

"She's beautiful," she purred.

"Yes, just as her mother," Gorlois said as he surrendered the whole bundle over to her.

The midwife coughed lightly for their attention. "My lord, my lady, have you two decided on what name your child will bear?"

"We have," Gorlois said. "We had been choosing names for weeks and if it was a girl we had already decided on a name."

"What is it?" asked Gaius.

Vivienne curled the baby to her closely before she smiled down on her. "Morgause."

Gorlois bent over to give Vivienne a kiss on her forehead before going and planting one on his new daughter's. "Lady Morgause."

End of Chapter 13

A/N: Another piece to the puzzle has been added: Morgause. Merlin is conceived and soon, Morgana, she will be as well but the events surrounding their time as babies will be much different with the way things are shaping up to be.