The function of freedom is to free someone else

~ Toni Morrison

Chapter 19: The Fisher King

The kiss played through Uther's mind every spare moment he had. On one hand, he felt furious with himself. He had just kissed the wife of one of his close friends and allies. Vivienne was married to Gorlois and he had just corrupted the foundation of their marriage with that little stunt. Yet...on the other hand he didn't feel any regret for it. Vivienne had an air of care and beauty about her that he hadn't seen since Ygraine. She made him feel warm and eager inside, a feeling that was lacked within him for years. Even less now with both his war against Cenred and against magic. The new levels of stress have made this feeling beyond rare and he felt compelled to enjoy it as much as possible.

The important thing though was how did Vivienne feel about all of this. Was she feeling disgusted with herself while he was jumping up and down with joy inside? Or was she just as exhilarated by all this as he was? He had yet to talk to Vivienne on this as it seemed that they seemed to be missing each other for the last few days. Whether she was purposely avoiding him or not was the real question. He had to find out.

When the castle was mostly sound asleep that night he went to lightly knock on Viveinne's door that night. She was out in her nightgown with a slight blur in her eyes as if she had just awakened.

"Uther?" she said in slight surprise. She suddenly shook herself out of the stupor. He was still the king. "I mean…sire, what brings you here?"

Uther held his hand out with a small smile. "It's alright Vivienne. It's my fault for coming here so late."

She straightened her gown nervously. "Please…come in." Uther stepped in and she softly closed the door after him. "Why have come to me tonight Uther?"

"It's a little embarrassing but…I wanted to know if you were avoiding me."

"Why would I want to avoid you sire?"

"Because of that…night. At the terrace."

A blush started to creep on Vivienne's cheeks. "That…that was an accident sire."

"Oh," Uther tried not to look to disappointed. "It was an accident?"

"I…I was merely feeling lonely and sad, as were you I imagine, and we simply reacted to it. We just let ourselves get caught up and took ourselves by surprise."

Uther nodded his head. "An accident then?" He looked over at her to see her lovely face glowing from the light of the moonlight spilling in from the window. "I wouldn't want us to avoid and be awkward with one another over an accident my lady."

Vivienne shook her head. "Me neither."

They stared at one another for a moment before Uther started to pace towards her and gently lifted her face by her chin. He looked into her eyes before he went to kiss her. Their lips ran over each other for a few moments before they lightly separated.

"I hope that this was no accident." Uther breathed out.

Vivienne looked hard into Uther's eyes that were full of lust and desire for her. A look he hadn't seen from any man for her since Gorlois left long ago to fight in the war.

"I don't believe so."

That night they continued not to make any more accidents. It was all deliberate.

The trek through the Valley of Fallen Kings had been blessed for Balinor and his group. They had not had any encounters with bandits, killers or any other nefarious characters. Kilgharrah had appeared before them all to inform them that they were one day away from entering the Perilous Lands. There was a lot of tense anticipation upon all of them. They had finally made it after all; the Perilous Lands. The only place around that they were sure to be safe from Uther and Cenred's grasps but would they be in safety there? Balinor hoped so. For everyone's sake especially for Hunith and their baby.

The entrance into the Perilous Lands was met with a small gorge that had a rickety looking bridge on it. Richard and Abel went first to check the stability of it.

"Looks sturdy enough," Richard said as he put pressure on it. "I think it might be safe."

Balinor looked on ahead to see that the end of the bridge was covered by fog. "What about the other side?"

"I'll check it out," Abel volunteered. "I'll call to tell you if it's safe or not."

Abel started to slowly step along the bridge and was pleased to see that it was stronger and more firm than it appeared to look. He almost thought that the danger was only in the appearance until he looked up to see a figure step out from the fog before them all. Richard moved over to Abel with his sword drawn but the figure waved his hand and in its place were a bouquet of fine daisies.

"My sword," he cried.

"No weapons are permitted on the bridge to this mystical realm," the figure said. His tone and appearance didn't seem hostile. In fact, he sounded like he was happy to see them all.

Balinor walked over to them but told everyone else to hang back on the firm ground. "Who are you?"

"I am the one that watches this path into the Fisher King's Realm."

"So are you here to tell us we can't cross?"

The funny man shook his head. "No, of course not. You are free to cross into and out of the realm at your own leisure. But I do take great care to warn those that cross that to overcome any trials these lands give you would require you to possess Courage, Strength and Magic. All three are needed in obtaining any goal sought out here."

"Then...will we be alright?" Balinor asked the guardian carefully.

He nodded. "I believe so. You and your companions possess these fine traits and I wish you luck in your endeavors. You are free to cross. All of you but do so of your own volition."

The land seemed to be as wild and desolate as many had imagined. It didn't look like much grew or would grow here for a long time. Up ahead the people found a source of shelter with a grand castle that wasn't too far away.

"Could that be where the Fisher King lived during his ancient reign?" asked one of the young villagers from Ealdor.

"It is," said Abel. "I can feel the power and magic that the structure once had. It must've been truly beautiful here once."

"Where do we go from here then?" asked Hunith.

Richard pointed out to the castle. "We might be able to find shelter in that castle. There might be some supplies we can still use."

"Sounds reasonable," Balinor agreed.

They all moved through the land with little trouble as they headed for the castle. Many of them were starting to think that the tales of the dangers within the Perilous Lands were greatly exaggerated until there was a great howl that ripped through the sky. They were near the front gates when Richard's wife Gina gave a start.

"What's that?" Gina screeched. She tightened her hold over little William as she pointed up at the sky.

The people looked up to see three dark shapes dropping in from the sky. The creatures flapped their wings as they dove for them. Richard drew his sword as did Balinor. The few others brought their own swords and other weapons taken from the Camelot soldiers from the attack. The three shapes landed before all the people with howls escaping their jaws.

"Wyverns," Balinor gasped out. "Cousins to the dragons." He had only ever seen one of these creatures before as a child but there was no trouble in his recollection of them.

"So they're not dragons themselves?" asked Abel. "Balinor, does that mean you can or can't control them as well as Kilgharrah?"

Balinor didn't answer but stepped forward and roared out at the beasts. The wyvern closed their jaws and started to back slightly away in submission. The people breathed out sighs of relief when they saw that they were spared getting attacked.

"I believe so," Balinor joked to the relieved snorts of some of them.

Hunith was the only one not calm. Her gaze was off to the side and she seemed anxious. "Balinor," she said grasping his arm.

"Hunith, what's wrong?"

"I don't think those wyvern were alone."

In the distance there were a small flock of wyvern heading right for them. Balinor's roar must've drawn them here. Now there was cause for concern. He wasn't sure that he could hold off that many at bay. As simple as it seemed, it was actually a little difficult to get these three wyvern to heel. They were much wilder and far from his link then true dragons were. He didn't know if he could keep near two dozen of them at bay.

"Everyone inside!" he ordered. "Quickly."

They rushed inside as the wyvern flock screeched as they flew for them like a flock of hungry buzzards. Balinor stood outside while Richard and Abel went to make sure that everyone got in quickly and safely.

"Balinor, come inside!" Richard yelled as he helped his wife and child through the main doors into the safety of the ancient castle.

"It's me that drew them here! I can stall them long enough for everyone to get in the castle!"

"Balinor, no!" Abel cried after him.

"Just take Hunith and the others and keep them safe! I'll be alright!"

"Balinor!" Hunith cried.

"My lady," Abel cried as he took her by the hand.

"I'll be alright!" he repeated. Abel pulled Hunith back and helped her move to the inside of the castle with the others. "I hope," he added in an undertone.

The wyvern were getting closer and the three wyvern from before were now walking around Balinor, circling him like snakes. He couldn't tell if this was good or bad but he knew he couldn't stay idle for long. Balinor didn't know if he could hold all of the wyvern back but he would put everything he could into trying. His father did warn him once that a dragonlord can only focus his roar on two or three dragons at a time, anymore and it could prove a danger to their health or life. They may not be dragons but they were distantly related and with so many wyvern descending on them at once, his life may just be in danger if he tried to halt them all at once. His wife and all the others with him were counting on him. He was prepared to put all his strength into his dragon roar even if it would kill him.

"NO!"

Balinor looked up to see a great shape descend before him and all the wyvern and let out a great roar of its own.

"Kilgharrah!" he cried.

The Great Dragon didn't heed his friend. He merely flapped his wings and hovered over him as he roared at the flock of wyvern with a roar that nearly shook the very ground. The three wyvern by Balinor stopped in their movements and bowed their heads down to the ground. The air wyvern stopped in their advance and just hovered in their spots. They slowly descended to the ground and did what the other three did and bowed their heads down with little whimpers exiting their snouts. Hunith and the others observed from the halls by the main doors in awe and wonder. It was as if the wyvern were kneeling before Kilgharrah like human subjects to their king.

Balinor walked forward to stand by Kilgharrah as he descended down himself. "That was foolish of you Balinor," he scolded. "You were going to kill yourself."

"You don't know that."

"I do. You're lucky that I was nearby when I sensed that call a moment ago. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking of protecting the others. The wyvern would've killed them."

"And if you had died in the attempt the wyvern would've killed them later on when the effects of your call wore away." Balinor tried not to flinch when he realized that his friend had a point. Kilgharrah softened when he realized that Balinor was starting to feel the error of his actions. "My call and presence will keep them pacified. Don't worry. Everyone is safe now."

Balinor went back to everyone where Hunith nearly made him tumble as she tearfully hugged him. Everyone laughed at the display but opened their mouths in shock when she slapped him across the face.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again Balinor or I swear that the wyvern will be the least of your worries! Do you understand?!"

"Perfectly," he rubbed the side of his cheek as he bowed his head to his wife. "I'm sorry."

Hunith went forth and kissed him lightly on the cheek where she had slapped him. The people started laughing at the couple as they had this public display of love. The attention made the two of them blush and feel slightly awkward. Balinor got his bearings together and he assured everyone that they were all now safe from the wyvern now. Hunith became in charge of helping everyone find a place in the castle to settle in while Balinor, Abel, Richard, and two other volunteers went to search the castle for supplies. Balinor asked them to be careful as he ventured through the upper levels of the castle. He didn't seem to find anything of use or interest until he came upon a great set of mahogany doors.

Balinor moved to open the door that sent a loud rickety wooden sound through the grand chamber. It was clear that the room was once a magnificent one. The windows were covered with soot and cobwebs but they looked like they were made with a skilled magnificence that befits a castle. The webs that were surrounding the windows were spread about the room adding to the aura of decay that surrounded this place. On the floor the dragonlord saw a dusty golden trident pointing towards the center of the room where there was a great throne. His steps lightly tapped against the stone floor and the sound carried into the whole room. Balinor felt that he should approach with caution because while the room seemed vacant he just knew that he wasn't alone in here.

"It's alright," said a worn out sort of voice. "You may approach."

Balinor straightened himself out but the tension seemed to magically leak out of him. The voice didn't feel like it was hostile. Balinor stepped around the look at the front of the throne to see an ancient looking man sitting upon it. He was covered in a light dust and a few webs have covered him in a few places but the rest of him was impressive. He wore royal robes that still sparkled in the rays of light that entered the room. There was a golden royal ring on his finger that had the symbol of a trident behind a star. He had a semi long white beard running down his chin and a great gold crown on his brow. The entire time that Balinor stood in front of the seated man he didn't move. The only thing that kept him from thinking him a statue was the sound of light breathing and the movement of his eyes following him.

"It's an honor to meet you," Balinor gave the man a small bow. "I am Balinor. It's not every day that one stands in the presence of the Fisher King."

"And it's not every day that a king has a dragonlord before him. I felt your presence a moment ago when you pacified the wyverns. It has been a long time since I met one of your noble kin. It was another young dragonlord who tamed the wyverns within my land and made them honorary vanguards of my realm. Unfortunately, there has been no one to see to them in years and they have run wild on anyone who braved to come here."

Balinor gave the man a small smile. "Well I have made sure that they won't hurt anyone else in this land. My dragon and I can ensure that it stays that way for as long as we are able."

The Fisher King actually nodded his head slightly. "Thank you Lord Balinor for your assistance. Perhaps you can assist me with a personal request I have of you."

Balinor wondered exactly what he could do for the legendary Fisher King. "What would you have of me sire?"

The Fisher King's tone became solemn. "What I must ask of you will be difficult but it is my deepest wish. My final request from one honorable man to another. I would like you to give me my death."

Balinor's face lit up with surprise. "Excuse me sire."

"I understand this must be surprising but allow me to explain my request. My kingdom drew sustenance from me. Its health and well-being was tied to me and my power. As I remained strong and firm my land could be beautiful and abundant. For many years I and my kingdom were able to help each other in taking care of my people. However, I was gravely wounded in a battle and I began to slowly wither and decay and my land began to share my fate."

Balinor was lost. "But…these lands fell into disarray so long ago. Centuries ago."

"Yes, my magic has been keeping me alive. Tying myself to my land is keeping me from fully succumbing to my wound. The land is still trying to aid me in whatever way it can and I cannot stop it. I'm slowly trying to heal while at the same time slowly dying. The land is pouring too much essence in keeping me alive that it there is little left to maintain itself with which has caused it to slowly wither over the years which adds to my sorrow."

"This place doesn't want to let you go," he whispered. Balinor thought that the Fisher King seemed like the type of man who many would want to keep around for a long time. "It loves you too much and wants to do what it can to bring you back to full health again."

"As I did and always will but it's impossible. Men like us know that there are just some things that even the most powerful of sorcerers can't avoid or overcome. My wound is simply too fatal to fully heal. Nature is trying to take its toll on me and I wish it to but it cannot. This connection is practically making me immortal. It makes me wonder why there are so many out there that seek to possess immortality. This isn't a fate I would wish on anyone. You possess something that can help me do so."

Balinor wondered what that was for a moment before his sheath hit against his knee. "My sword," he mumbled and he took hold of the hilt. "It was forged in the dragon's breath and it can sever the connection between you and the land and finally bring you to rest."

"Yes…I ask you to free me from living this burden. Every day for as long as I could remember I have hoped and prayed for someone to come forth and deliver me to Avalon."

Balinor shook his head. "I…I don't know if I can do that."

"It's alright Lord Balinor. My time has been a long time coming. In return from you giving me my freedom I would bestow a gift to you." He bowed his head down slightly. "Look to my inner pocket."

Balinor dove his hand into his royal robe and took out a glass vial that seemed to be filled with crystal clear water. As he took hold of it a warm feeling enveloped his hand and flowed up his arm and spread throughout his body. "This…this is something powerful."

"It's water from the land of Avalon. It has very special properties. One day it may serve you and your growing family well."

He looked up at the ancient king. "How did-"

"I could feel your future child's presence. I can sense that he is going to grow to be quite the special young man. It might help you or him when the time comes."

He tightened a hold on the vial. "Thank you. This is indeed a great gift."

"I have but one more to bestow to you. One that will aid you and your people."

"They are not my people, per say," he said a little uncomfortably.

"I believe they are. All that is needed is simply to make it official. Take my crown and my blessing Balinor. With them you and all your present and future people will find shelter and peace within these lands." The Fisher King could sense that Balinor would protest. "I insist. My land yearns to have people to live with and love it again. I can sense what the world beyond these borders is coming to and how you wish to live in peace. With my crown passing to you my lands can start anew along with you all. It will prosper and flourish again under a man such as yourself."

"No sire, I couldn't."

"Please Balinor…take it. It's not enough to live safely but to be able to live happily and for you and your people I can grant you that. Letting me pass on is more than enough to warrant such an honor and gift. It's what I want as my final act as the Fisher King. To pass these lands to someone who will see to their greatness and purpose again."

"I…I'll do my best sire."

"That is more than enough. Now…I am ready."

Balinor took Excalibur from his sheath. He gazed from it to the Fisher King. He nodded his head again to Balinor. Balinor came close and gave the Fisher King a respectful kiss to his forehead. He then drove Excalibur into the man's heart to deliver him the freedom he requested. For the first time in years, rain came to the Perilous Lands.

End of Chapter 19

A/N: The next chapter will contain an event that we have all been waiting for: the birth of Merlin. There will also be an appearance of Nimueh and she will connect with someone unlikely.