Fic: In Joy and Woe, as in a Doubtful Ease (6/7)
Part Five
By that evening, Elaine’s spirits appeared to have recovered from the stressful visit to her mother. They ate together, joined by Merlin, Pellinore, Arthur’s knights, and even a few of Cornwall’s knights, including Bedwyr. It was a relaxed meal, with everyone breaking off into smaller groups to converse together. Arthur was enjoying himself immensely, as Elaine seemed to have a plethora of stories to tell about his mother and her own, as well as their mutual Aunt Vivienne, and the scrapes they got up to as girls.
“… and then Aunt Vivienne said with perfect innocence, ‘But Uncle, how were we to know that Lord Berilac didn’t like mint greens? They’re a specialty in Mercia!’”
Arthur laughed, shaking his head. “It seems our aunt was quite the character,” he said, taking a sip of wine from his goblet.
Elaine grinned. “Indeed, Mother always called her sister a free spirit. It was something that bound Aunt Vivienne and Aunt Ygraine together, for Aunt Ygraine was quite exuberant herself in her youth. Mother was more introverted, though she loved them both fiercely and could occasionally be dragged into their predicaments, especially in their younger years.”
Undoubtedly, she would have continued with her stories, had events been different. The doors of the chamber were thrown open, however, ending all thoughts to tales of people either dead or lost. A trio of guards burst into the room, and immediately, the atmosphere changed, growing tense, alarmed.
The leader of the three bowed hurriedly to Elaine, saying, “My lady, young Lord Marcus and Lady Aileen are missing!”
She raised an eyebrow. “Have they slipped their nurse’s watch again?”
He shook his head. “Their nurse is dead. A servant discovered her lying on the floor of the nursery, her neck broken, when she sought to deliver them their meal.”
Arthur watched the color drain from Elaine’s face. Pellinore stood up and immediately began issuing orders. Bedwyr and the other knights also got to their feet. “I want a full search of the castle now,” the man barked, his expression furious. “Close the gates, no one in or out!”
“My lord,” the guard interrupted, “we also found this.” He held up a scrap of fabric, and Arthur froze. It was red, bright red. It even looked just like the fabric of Camelot’s capes.
If they thought that Camelot had kidnapped their lady’s children…
Elaine rose to her feet and held her hand out to the guard. He gave the fabric to her while casting suspicious, distrustful glances in the direction of Arthur and his companions. She turned the little square over in her hand, examining it closely before looking in their direction. “It makes no sense,” she muttered. “You have no reason to take my children, nor are you foolish enough to think it would gain you some kind of advantage while you are here as a guest in my own city.”
Arthur nodded. “I would not behave so dishonorably.”
His words did little to dispel the misgivings that were written on the faces of the guards, and knew that more would be required. “Search our chambers,” he said. “We had nothing to do with this, I swear it on my honor.”
Pellinore snapped an order at the guards, telling them to do just that, and then turned to Bedwyr. “Supervise the search, and report back.”
As the men departed the room, Elaine’s hand clenched around the little piece of fabric. “The North Tower,” she suddenly blurted out, her voice taking on a queer, shaking quality to it. “They love to go to the North Tower. They might have hidden there if someone tried to take them.” She started to hurry toward the door. “We should check there.”
Pellinore reached out and clasped his wife by the shoulders, stopping her in her tracks. “My lady, wait. I will send a few guards to look.” He started to lead her back to the table. “Please, sit down before you wear yourself out.”
She shot him an incredulous look. “My children may have been kidnapped and spirited out of the castle!” she snapped. “Wearing myself out is the least of my concerns!”
Arthur stepped forward and pulled out a chair, the one he himself had occupied just minutes ago. In the most even tone he could manage, he said, “My lady, cousin. Stay calm for your people’s sake, for your children’s sake, and for your baby’s sake.” He gestured to her belly, and her hand automatically came down to rest on the swell. “You can’t be of any use to them if you become overwrought and panicked.”
Elaine took a deep, shuddering breath as she slowly sank into the chair Arthur offered her. She nodded carefully, replying, “Yes, you’re right.” She turned her attention back to her husband. “I’m sorry for snapping, dearest.”
Pellinore knelt beside her, and Arthur saw an expression of tenderness cross his face, so unlike the usual stern air Arthur was accustomed to seeing about him. In that moment, he realized that their marriage was far more than the usual alliances among the aristocracy. Whatever it might have been when they started, there was love between them now. It might not be like Arthur’s grand passion for Guinevere, which had led him to some of the most illogical decisions he’d ever made in his life, but it was no less powerful in its own way.
“Do not apologize, beloved,” Pellinore said. He took one of her hands and brought it to her lips. “I will find our little ones, and whoever took them will pay dearly for it, I promise you.”
Tintagel
Tristan returned home this afternoon, highly displeased by what he witnessed in Brieland. Aglovale’s funeral was a brief, hurried affair, hardly at all worthy of a man of his stature, not to mention the father of Camelot’s queen. Agravaine was apparently of the mind that funds should not be wasted on a dead man and that his father should be buried quickly, quietly, and next to the sarcophagus of his first wife, Corliss, who was also Agravaine’s mother.
Then, as if such an insult was not enough, Agravaine complained heartily about having to fulfill the terms of Aglovale’s will, disliking that he had to give up even part of his inheritance. The land that Ygrisa brought to their marriage as her dowry was ceded to Tristan and will one day become part of Cornwall when it is inherited by our children, while my uncle provided a dower for my aunt and a bequest for Ygraine. All of it is a drop in the overall goblet that is the de Bois holdings, and according to my husband, Agravaine “pissed and moaned like a child forced to eat his vegetables.”
Agravaine ultimately fulfilled the terms, as he was required to do, but in a very vicious manner. He gave Ygrisa the remotest, poorest part of the de Bois lands as her dower, which provides just enough income and food to sustain Ygrisa and the other inhabitants. It was so horrible that Ygrisa felt obliged to take refuge in Camelot so as not to be a further drain on the dower, one its people can ill-afford. Tristan escorted her there, seeing her safely to Uther’s hospitality and protection.
Of course, going to Camelot meant that he got a first-hand look at that kingdom’s troubles. Uther, it seems, has taken to warring with his neighbors, particularly Cadred of Escetia, at every opportunity. Ygraine is also unhappy because she is not yet child. Gorlois is often with Uther on campaign, leaving Vivienne to her own devices and while she may prefer this, Tristan heard rumors that Vivienne is taking on lovers whenever she can.
Vivienne has written of her antipathy for her husband, and I’ve tried to help her reconcile herself to the match, but she refuses to listen to me. She has not yet come out and stated that she blames me for her loveless marriage, but I sometimes feel that it is there, in between the lines of her letters.
The search went on for some hours. Once his chambers and those of the knights had been cleared of anything suspicious, Arthur offered his and their services in assisting in the search. Gwaine, all traces of his usual good humor gone, and Leon accompanied Bedwyr into the lower floors, including the dungeons. Cador and Samuel went with some of the other knights to search the more distant towers.
It was well into the early hours of the morning that everyone returned, all with defeated expressions. “There is nothing, my lady, my lord,” Bedwyr told Elaine and Pellinore. “We have torn the castle apart, and there is no trace that we can detect.”
Arthur listened grimly as everyone else reported the same thing. Elaine was no longer hoping that the children might have hidden themselves away from their attackers, and had grown steadily paler and paler as time had passed. It was especially worrying that nothing had been found. Kidnappers would have left some kind of ransom or message, claiming responsibility and issuing demands. That there was nothing…
“Call for Glynis,” Elaine said suddenly, cutting into Arthur’s thought.
Arthur started, confused, but Bedwyr merely nodded, turned on his heel, and marched out the door, a few of the guards following close behind. “Who is Glynis?” Arthur asked.
Pellinore glanced in his direction, seeming surprised that he was still there. “Glynis is a sorceress,” he explained. “She and others like her know how to sense magic, and how it was used in places.”
“If there’s no sign that my knights can detect,” Elaine added, “then that leaves the possibility that magic was used to cover up the evidence of the… kidnapping.” She paused, swallowing with difficulty. “If that’s the case, Glynis will find it. She is one of the best.”
Arthur nodded slowly. All he had ever seen of magic was its ability to destroy or, in the other extreme, restore. What Elaine and Pellinore described was unlike anything he had ever heard of before. Was this a common skill?
In the end, it didn’t take long for Arthur to see what the others described. Word arrived within an hour that Glynis had been found and was being escorted up to the castle. Elaine and Pellinore rushed out of the dining room then, leaving Arthur and Merlin to follow. As they strode along the corridors, Arthur cast a few looks in Merlin’s direction. He had been unusually quiet for some time, and Elaine’s explanation of Glynis’ abilities had left him absolutely white.
Yet again, a strange reaction concerning the subject of magic - fear, when just days before he had spoken in support of it. What was going through his fool head?
Elaine and Pellinore led the way up to the nursery, where they found Bedwyr waiting with a cloaked figure. As they approached, the figure reached up and threw back the hood of her cloak. Arthur blinked. The woman standing before him was probably younger than Merlin, looking to be no more than eighteen, perhaps nineteen, years old. Her hair was a mousy, plain brown, but her skin was smooth and her blue eyes were bright and clear.
She curtsied to Elaine and Pellinore. “My lady, my lord,” she murmured. “How may I be of service to you?”
“My children have been stolen, Glynis,” Elaine told her, clearly of no mind to bother with niceties. “My knights and guards can find no trace of where they might have gone.”
Glynis nodded slowly. “I see,” she replied. Reaching up, she untied her cloak and removed it. Bedwyr promptly reached out and took it from her as she stepped toward the door. She went inside alone, leaving the rest of them to watch from outside.
Arthur stood next to Elaine and watched as Glynis walked to the center of the nursery. The body of the nurse had long since been removed, but there still remained a stain of blood that showed where the woman had fallen, still bright red against the grey stone. She stared down at the mark, and then slowly raised her hands and began to chant. The words were unknown to Arthur, but he thought he recognized the language and tone from other sorcerers he had encountered in the past. Her hands began to glow with a pearly white light and a strange wind appeared out of nowhere, wafting her hair around her shoulders. In response to whatever power Glynis was calling on, dark, black balls began to appear. The first one hovered over the bloodstain, then a second and third over the children’s beds, and finally a fourth, a bigger one, that hovered above the rest, close to the ceiling. The first three lingered for a few moments, but then faded in the face of whatever Glynis was doing.
The fourth one, however, seemed to fight her. It darted lower, first toward Glynis, but then toward the door, toward Elaine. Immediately, Arthur grabbed Elaine by one of her arms and pulled her back, barely noticing that Pellinore and Merlin had also latched on to her and were pushing her behind them.
Arthur saw Glynis’ eyes narrow, saw the flash of fury, and her chanting grew louder, more powerful. The black ball halted its advance towards the door, and then started back to Glynis. She paused in her chanting, and then bellowed out a single, harsh shout. A corresponding burst of white, hot light flew from her hands and slammed into the black ball. The explosion was blinding, forcing Arthur to throw his hand up to shield his eyes.
When the light at last faded, Arthur lowered his hand and stared into the room. Glynis still stood in the center of the room, her hair askew and a terrible expression on her face, making her look more like one of the fey than the young woman she actually was. Then, just as suddenly, the expression was gone, and she was again recognizably human. She staggered, her body sagging with weariness. Arthur started forward to assist her, but was beaten to it when Merlin suddenly darted past him and caught her before she collapsed. He led her over to an empty chair and helped her to seat herself.
Glynis smiled her thanks at him, and Arthur thought she looked strangely star-struck as she gazed at Merlin. He didn’t have time to consider that - except to file it away as something to tease Merlin about at a more appropriate time - when she turned her tired gaze to them. “It’s all right now, my lady, my lords,” she assured them. “The foul magic is gone, and will do no further harm.”
Pellinore was the first to enter, still looking about warily, and then finally allowed Elaine and Arthur to follow him. “What was all of that?” Arthur demanded.
“Ill-intentioned magic, Your Majesty,” Glynis answered, her tone as exhausted as her posture. Merlin still stood at her side, the picture of concern. She smiled at him again, this time a mixture of thanks and amusement. “The smaller spells were merely echoes of what was here before - one that killed the nurse, two that put the children into a deep sleep before they could get off their beds. The fourth, however, was still an active spell.” She gave Elaine a grim look. “It was tailored to respond to Elaine herself - to incite suspicion and anger against… something to do with a specific object, but whatever it was isn’t here.”
Pellinore straightened, comprehension dawning on his face. “The fabric piece that the guards found,” he breathed.
Arthur understood, as did Elaine. “They wanted to turn me against Camelot,” she said. “That’s why it came toward me - it was trying to fulfill its purpose.”
Glynis nodded. “Indeed,” she agreed. “I was able to restrain it because its conditions weren’t fully fulfilled. You were close, but not in the room, and you weren’t holding the specified object.”
Arthur looked around the room. There was every indication of life in this room - a clutter of toys in the corner, from toys to wooden swords, a wardrobe that hung open. This was a place that should have been safe for his young cousins, but had instead been invaded and defiled with death and violence. “Someone has used magic against the ruling family,” he stated. “What do the laws of Cornwall call for such a case?”
Elaine crossed her arms in front of her. “It is the same when magic is used against anyone,” she replied. “First we have to discover the perpetuator’s identity.”
“I attempted to do so, my lady,” Glynis cut in. “I cannot give you a name, but I can give you some clues.” Confusion marred her pretty features. “The sorcerer’s blood signature is actually quite similar to His Majesty’s. It’s not the same, however, and it is also female.”
Arthur’s blood ran cold. To his knowledge, the only person of his bloodline that had magic was…
“Morgana,” Merlin said it out loud, anger clouding his features.
“Why?” Arthur wanted to know. “I mean, I know why she would go against us - she has been against me and tried to have me killed for years - but why would she take your children? Have you even met her?”
Elaine nodded, her eyes cold and harsh in the torchlight. “Yes, she and I have met a few times. Morgana accompanied Morgause here on her periodic visits a few years ago, until Morgause was banished.”
“Morgause?” Now Morgause was involved in all of this? “Why was Morgause here?”
Elaine looked at him in some confusion for a moment. “I didn’t tell you? Morgause is my half-sister, my father’s bastard by Aunt Vivienne?”
Arthur’s jaw dropped. “Gods,” he gasped.
She winced. “I didn’t,” she grimaced. “I’m sorry, Arthur. It’s common knowledge that Morgause was my older half-sister here in Cornwall. I’m used to everyone knowing about it. I just assumed…” She trailed off.
Arthur closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with tired fingers. His head was aching fiercely from lack of sleep and one revelation after another. “It’s all right,” he managed. “You said Morgause was banished? Why?”
“She tried to use magic on Elaine,” Pellinore said, his voice thick with anger and disapproval. “She attempted to assume control her, to get her to raise Cornwall’s armies against Camelot.”
Glynis nodded. “My aunt was present when it happened; she managed to fight the Lady Morgause off long enough for the guards to restrain the witch.” Her expression grew cold. “The effort burned my aunt’s magic out, and she was dead within a month.”
“Morgause was banished from Cornwall, forbidden to return on pain of death,” Elaine explained. “Morgana, however, continued to visit, as was her right as my cousin. She kept trying to convince me to join her and Morgause against Camelot, that Morgause was heartily sorry for ‘losing her temper’ as she did.” Elaine snorted bitterly. “Did she expect me to believe that? Morgause never did anything she didn’t mean. I’ve known that since I was a little girl.”
“The last time she was here was just a few weeks after Samhain, last year,” Pellinore told Arthur. “She informed us of Morgause’s death, holding the entire kingdom of Camelot responsible. But then she explained how she had torn the veil between life and death and released the Dorocha, by using Morgause as a sacrifice.”
“Morgana killed my sister,” Elaine said, her tone brooking no argument. “Whatever happened before that, it was Morgana who plunged the knife in and ended her life.”
Arthur nodded, inwardly reeling from this new information. “I never realized we were all so closely related,” he murmured.
Elaine laughed, though there was no humor in it. “Yes, it is rather startling, isn’t it? The four of us are all just shy of crossing the line to being products of incest.”
An uncomfortable silence descended in the wake of that statement, and Arthur tried not to think of how, some years ago, his father had hinted that Morgana would be considered an acceptable bride for any prince. At the time, he’d thought that his father was encouraging him to think of Morgana as a prospective bride. Now, he hoped, he prayed, that that wasn’t the case. He didn’t want to think that his father had actually urged his children to think of each other in such a manner.
Finally, Glynis spoke up. “I can try to track the Lady Morgana’s signature, to see if she is still close. It’s likely she won’t have gone too far, especially with Lord Marcus and Lady Aileen in tow.”
Elaine blinked rapidly, clearly having been lost in her own thoughts, but then she nodded. “Yes, that’s probably our best hope.”
Arthur watched as Glynis began to chant again, and soon enough he, Elaine, Pellinore, and Merlin were all following along in the sorceress’ wake. They strode through the corridors and out into the courtyard, which was still lit by torches. She led them along the edge, staying close to the walls of the keep, until they came to the gates. Glynis stopped, her brow furrowed in concentration. “She went into the city,” she reported. “It is more difficult to track her through all of the lingering signatures of everyone else that has been there, many of them magical themselves.”
“Please try, Glynis,” Elaine said. She was looking increasingly frantic. As Glynis led the way into the deserted streets of the city, Arthur could hear her muttering to herself, swearing to gut Morgana if she harmed either of her children.
Merlin, who had been sticking close to Glynis and watching her every move, soon fell back to walk beside Arthur. “This is fascinating, Arthur,” Merlin said lowly. “I never knew magic could do things like this!” He sounded so excited by the prospect.
Arthur couldn’t help but be amused by the younger man’s excitement. “Are you interested in the magic, Merlin?” he teased. “Or the lady who uses it?”
Merlin started to nod, but then stopped as he actually considered Arthur’s words. His resulting glare made Arthur smirk.
“Prat,” Merlin muttered.
Tintagel
I’ve just received a letter from Vivienne. Apparently she’s pregnant, only the child is not her husband’s. It’s Uther’s. Vivienne took our cousin’s husband to her bed and got a bastard from him.
I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, Vivienne had no problem bedding Tristan after our betrothal was made public. Tristan and I have never discussed the matter, nor have either of us ever mentioned little Morgause to one another, but I doubt he’s forgotten. I certainly haven’t. Still, for all that, I am shocked. Vivienne and Ygraine have always been close to each other, closer than Vivienne and I ever were in our later years. I didn’t think Vivienne would betray our cousin so blatantly by seducing her husband.
The situation is immensely complicated, and it makes me want to wring Vivienne’s fool neck. How could she put us through this again? Plus, it’s even worse this time! Vivienne swears in her letter that she’s adequately covered for the affair - short as it was, she claims - and bedded Gorlois soon enough afterward that he’ll think the child is his, but it’s not that simple. Such things don’t remain secret. Vivienne’s handmaid likely knows, since most servants make a point to know as much about their employers as possible, to better serve them. Has Vivienne accounted for that and done something to ensure the woman’s silence? Somehow, I doubt that. Minute details have always escaped her, and she’s never learned from her past mistakes.
Then there’s more. This child is Uther’s! Vivienne may dismiss her child as a bastard who would have no claim on Uther’s kingdom - her own words are “bastards don’t inherit kingdoms, after all” - but I know that others probably won’t see it that way. If the child’s paternity is found out, then the child could very well become the figurehead for all attempts to overthrow Uther and his legitimate bloodline. I must write to Vivienne immediately, and reiterate that no one can ever know this child’s true parentage.
Addendum: It makes me wonder if Uther knows about the child’s true paternity. I imagine he does; he can’t be that much of a fool. It makes me wonder, though. If he viewed Vivienne’s first child as a threat merely because of a few pain-induced prophecies, how might he view a child whose danger is so much more clear-cut? I don’t think my sister would be able to fake the death of another child, not when Uther will likely be scrutinizing this one so closely.
He had no problem demanding the murder of one child, so it won’t be any more difficult to demand the death of this one.
They reached the city gates around dawn. Glynis stopped there, looking about, and finally shook her head. “She appears to have gone north, towards the forest, my lady, my lords,” she told them wearily. “That is all I can tell you. Her trail has been obscured and is beyond my sight now.”
Elaine and Pellinore both nodded, but their faces were positively grey with worry. “We’ll have to -” Pellinore started to say, but was cut off by a loud, high-pitched screech.
A crow appeared overhead, diving down straight for them. Arthur began to duck instinctively, but the bird merely dropped what looked like a scroll of all things, and then flew off. The scroll, tiny in Elaine’s hand, was tied by a small green ribbon. Arthur watched as she untied it and unrolled the small document. She read it through and what little color she had left in her face drained away. Her blue eyes met Arthur’s, and she slowly held out the document to him.
He took it and held it up. He could feel Merlin’s presence over his right shoulder, also looking to see what it said.
Elaine,
Give me Arthur and Merlin for your children. They are unharmed as of now, but if you refuse, I swear, I will cut both their throats.
You have until the third afternoon bell. You will personally bring them into the forest, to the clearing half a league away from the city gates. You, and you alone. If I see anyone else, the children die.
Morgana
Arthur cursed under his breath. It didn’t surprise him that Morgana wanted him delivered up to her, he’d known that it was only a matter of time before she tried to kill him again. It had never been in her to stop once she’d set her mind to something. What caught him a little off-guard was that she was also asking specifically for Merlin. He said as much, glancing at the younger man.
Merlin sighed. “I think Morgana hates me more than she hates you, Arthur. You only sit on the throne that she is delusional enough to think is hers. Me, she blames for Morgause’s demise because I was one of those who injured her before the two of them fled Camelot.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. Merlin had never said much about what had happened in that confrontation that had ended with that entire chamber left a crumbling mess. The only other two witnesses had been similarly closed-mouthed about it. For Gaius, that wasn’t unusual, since he was notorious for keeping his mouth shut about things unless absolutely necessary. Lancelot, who could usually be prevailed upon to speak, had also determinedly kept mum about what had happened.
Still, it didn’t really matter, he supposed. The fact remained that Morgana was demanding that he and Merlin be handed over, and was holding two innocent children as leverage. It was an impossible situation. Yet, handing them over would only incite Camelot to wage war on Cornwall, which no one - save Morgana - wanted.
He turned to Elaine, who looked both furious and yet ready to weep. “Cousin, I will do whatever is necessary to help you recover the children. I have dealt with Morgana recently and her power is erratic, at best. We may be able to use that to our advantage.”
Pellinore stared at him intently. “What do you have in mind?”
In truth, Arthur had only the barest fragments of a plan in his mind. “First,” he said, “do you know of a sorcerer called Emrys?”
Both Elaine and her husband shook their heads, but Glynis, who had been silent for some time, went still and her eyes widened. “Glynis?” Arthur prodded.
The sorceress hesitated briefly, but then spoke. “Emrys is the man whose coming has been prophesized by the druids for centuries. To many people with magic, he is a bedtime story.” She gave Arthur a sharp look. “Are you saying he has come at last, Your Majesty?”
Arthur opened his mouth to respond, but Merlin jumped in. “I’ll see if I can round up any word of him, Arthur. Some of Gaius’ contacts have traveled to Cornwall in the past.” He started to back up, going back towards the city markets. “They might have an idea if he’s been in the area.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. He was beginning to fear he’d never quite understand Merlin, but now wasn’t the time to complain about it. Instead, he shoved his concerns aside and just nodded. “Go, Merlin. Hurry.”
Merlin hurried off at a run, miraculously not tripping over his own feet in his haste. Arthur turned back to Pellinore and Elaine, who were watching him with desperation in his eyes.
The plan came tumbling out in stages as they returned to the castle. When it was finally all out, few were happy about it. Arthur and Merlin would go out to meet with Morgana, as she stipulated. They would keep her distracted for as long as possible, while the knights from both Cornwall and Camelot circled around and flanked Morgana and any followers she might have with her. They would take out as many as possible through stealth, preventing any harm from coming to the children. Once the situation was under control, they would then approach the clearing, and between all of them, they would take Morgana into custody if at all possible.
“And this Emrys?” Pellinore asked. “What of him?”
Arthur ran his fingers through his hair wearily. “If he comes,” he replied slowly, “then I hope to prevail on him to help us with Morgana.”
The older man nodded, exchanging glances with Elaine, who had a thoughtful expression on her face. “This is probably the best plan we’ll come up with,” she said, “but one more thing.” She raised her chin almost defiantly. “I will be going with Arthur and Merlin.”
“No!” Pellinore and Arthur both shouted.
“Elaine -”
“My lady -”
“It’s too dangerous,” Arthur said.
“I will go,” Pellinore added.
She held her ground, shaking her head. “I think Morgana will be able to see that I am not a tall warrior in chain mail, husband,” she said, a little testy. “No, I will go. She will be expecting me, and my presence will buy you and the others more time, prevent her from seeing anything amiss.”
Arthur and Pellinore tried to convince her otherwise, but Elaine refused to be moved. Finally, all that could be done was for Arthur to swear to protect her. Pellinore wasn’t pleased, was in fact furious, but had no choice but to agree.
“All right,” Arthur said at last, “now we just need -”
He was interrupted by the heavy double doors swinging open. They moved with surprising speed, quite in contrast to the seeming frailty of the figure that stood on the other side. Arthur, who had turned, gaped at the new arrival.
A thin man, bent and white haired with age, and yet one who moved with surprising grace. Arthur had only seen the man on two separate occasions, on two terrible days, and yet he was certain he would never forget him.
The old man came to a halt a few feet from the three of them and gazed at them avidly. “I’m told you need assistance? Problems with the witch?” he inquired.
Arthur nodded, and his eyes shifted past Emrys’ shoulder. “Where is Merlin?”
“Hmm? Oh, him. I sent him to rally any druids he might find nearby. They’re best able to deal with someone as damaged as Morgana.”
“What?!” Arthur exclaimed. “We need him here! Morgana has demanded -”
“- both of you so she can kill you and avenge whatever wrongs you’ve done to her,” Emrys interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, I’ve heard it all before. I’ll stand in for him. Morgana won’t know the difference until we’re on top of her.”
Arthur wanted to protest, wanted to demand that Merlin return right this instant, but instead forcibly kept the words locked behind his teeth. They had to focus on the here and now if they were to succeed.
Only the gods didn’t appear to want to make things even remotely easy for them, because at that moment, someone else stumbled into the room. It took Arthur a moment, but he recognized the woman as Princess Vevay’s nurse. “My lady,” the woman said, her hair mused and her dress askew, “Her Highness - she’s gone!”
“What?!” Elaine had spent the past several hours under constant stress, and now had to face yet another crisis. “How? What happened?”
It appeared that Vevay had somehow gotten a hold of one of the mild sleeping potions that she was occasionally given to help her rest, and had put a few drops into the goblets belonging to her nurse and servant. They’d only just woken up, and the nurse had even heard on her way there that there was a horse missing from the stables.
“There’s no way she could have gotten out of the city,” Pellinore said. “Every exit is guarded and shut down. She’ll not be far.”
Elaine rubbed her forehead wearily and sighed. After a moment’s contemplation, she said, “We will focus on my children. My mother will have to wait. Hopefully she won’t do any lasting harm to herself in the meantime.”
No one argued with her.
Tintagel
Oh, wondrous news! I haven’t said anything about it for fear of being wrong, but I just had myself examined by a physician and had it confirmed. I am with child! I’m going to have a baby of my own!
This news is thrilling! After nearly four years of marriage and no signs of a child, I was beginning to fear that I might be barren, but now I need not worry about such a possibility. There is a child in my belly! The physician has given me a list of things to do and to avoid, and has also offered to put me in contact with a well-informed, successful midwife of his acquaintance.
I told Tristan immediately after the physician left, and he was overjoyed. He has done so much to restore Cornwall’s military prestige, and our cadres of knights are rapidly showing themselves to be the best in all of Albion, and he is looking forward to focusing some of that energy on our child, be it girl or boy.
This, of course, means that I will not be able to travel to Camelot to be with Vivienne for the birth of her child as I had planned to do, so I shall have to write to her and convey my news and my apologies. Ygraine will be with her, though I am not sure how much of a comfort that will be to my sister, since their friendship has been strained of late. Vivienne doesn’t think that Ygraine knows of her and Uther’s affair, but she has admitted in recent letters that she does feel some measure of guilt for sleeping with our cousin’s husband.
Which is more than she ever felt for sleeping with Tristan after he and I were promised to each other.
Oh, but I cannot be bitter today! Not after such news! I am going to be a mother!
Part Seven
By that evening, Elaine’s spirits appeared to have recovered from the stressful visit to her mother. They ate together, joined by Merlin, Pellinore, Arthur’s knights, and even a few of Cornwall’s knights, including Bedwyr. It was a relaxed meal, with everyone breaking off into smaller groups to converse together. Arthur was enjoying himself immensely, as Elaine seemed to have a plethora of stories to tell about his mother and her own, as well as their mutual Aunt Vivienne, and the scrapes they got up to as girls.
“… and then Aunt Vivienne said with perfect innocence, ‘But Uncle, how were we to know that Lord Berilac didn’t like mint greens? They’re a specialty in Mercia!’”
Arthur laughed, shaking his head. “It seems our aunt was quite the character,” he said, taking a sip of wine from his goblet.
Elaine grinned. “Indeed, Mother always called her sister a free spirit. It was something that bound Aunt Vivienne and Aunt Ygraine together, for Aunt Ygraine was quite exuberant herself in her youth. Mother was more introverted, though she loved them both fiercely and could occasionally be dragged into their predicaments, especially in their younger years.”
Undoubtedly, she would have continued with her stories, had events been different. The doors of the chamber were thrown open, however, ending all thoughts to tales of people either dead or lost. A trio of guards burst into the room, and immediately, the atmosphere changed, growing tense, alarmed.
The leader of the three bowed hurriedly to Elaine, saying, “My lady, young Lord Marcus and Lady Aileen are missing!”
She raised an eyebrow. “Have they slipped their nurse’s watch again?”
He shook his head. “Their nurse is dead. A servant discovered her lying on the floor of the nursery, her neck broken, when she sought to deliver them their meal.”
Arthur watched the color drain from Elaine’s face. Pellinore stood up and immediately began issuing orders. Bedwyr and the other knights also got to their feet. “I want a full search of the castle now,” the man barked, his expression furious. “Close the gates, no one in or out!”
“My lord,” the guard interrupted, “we also found this.” He held up a scrap of fabric, and Arthur froze. It was red, bright red. It even looked just like the fabric of Camelot’s capes.
If they thought that Camelot had kidnapped their lady’s children…
Elaine rose to her feet and held her hand out to the guard. He gave the fabric to her while casting suspicious, distrustful glances in the direction of Arthur and his companions. She turned the little square over in her hand, examining it closely before looking in their direction. “It makes no sense,” she muttered. “You have no reason to take my children, nor are you foolish enough to think it would gain you some kind of advantage while you are here as a guest in my own city.”
Arthur nodded. “I would not behave so dishonorably.”
His words did little to dispel the misgivings that were written on the faces of the guards, and knew that more would be required. “Search our chambers,” he said. “We had nothing to do with this, I swear it on my honor.”
Pellinore snapped an order at the guards, telling them to do just that, and then turned to Bedwyr. “Supervise the search, and report back.”
As the men departed the room, Elaine’s hand clenched around the little piece of fabric. “The North Tower,” she suddenly blurted out, her voice taking on a queer, shaking quality to it. “They love to go to the North Tower. They might have hidden there if someone tried to take them.” She started to hurry toward the door. “We should check there.”
Pellinore reached out and clasped his wife by the shoulders, stopping her in her tracks. “My lady, wait. I will send a few guards to look.” He started to lead her back to the table. “Please, sit down before you wear yourself out.”
She shot him an incredulous look. “My children may have been kidnapped and spirited out of the castle!” she snapped. “Wearing myself out is the least of my concerns!”
Arthur stepped forward and pulled out a chair, the one he himself had occupied just minutes ago. In the most even tone he could manage, he said, “My lady, cousin. Stay calm for your people’s sake, for your children’s sake, and for your baby’s sake.” He gestured to her belly, and her hand automatically came down to rest on the swell. “You can’t be of any use to them if you become overwrought and panicked.”
Elaine took a deep, shuddering breath as she slowly sank into the chair Arthur offered her. She nodded carefully, replying, “Yes, you’re right.” She turned her attention back to her husband. “I’m sorry for snapping, dearest.”
Pellinore knelt beside her, and Arthur saw an expression of tenderness cross his face, so unlike the usual stern air Arthur was accustomed to seeing about him. In that moment, he realized that their marriage was far more than the usual alliances among the aristocracy. Whatever it might have been when they started, there was love between them now. It might not be like Arthur’s grand passion for Guinevere, which had led him to some of the most illogical decisions he’d ever made in his life, but it was no less powerful in its own way.
“Do not apologize, beloved,” Pellinore said. He took one of her hands and brought it to her lips. “I will find our little ones, and whoever took them will pay dearly for it, I promise you.”
Tintagel
Tristan returned home this afternoon, highly displeased by what he witnessed in Brieland. Aglovale’s funeral was a brief, hurried affair, hardly at all worthy of a man of his stature, not to mention the father of Camelot’s queen. Agravaine was apparently of the mind that funds should not be wasted on a dead man and that his father should be buried quickly, quietly, and next to the sarcophagus of his first wife, Corliss, who was also Agravaine’s mother.
Then, as if such an insult was not enough, Agravaine complained heartily about having to fulfill the terms of Aglovale’s will, disliking that he had to give up even part of his inheritance. The land that Ygrisa brought to their marriage as her dowry was ceded to Tristan and will one day become part of Cornwall when it is inherited by our children, while my uncle provided a dower for my aunt and a bequest for Ygraine. All of it is a drop in the overall goblet that is the de Bois holdings, and according to my husband, Agravaine “pissed and moaned like a child forced to eat his vegetables.”
Agravaine ultimately fulfilled the terms, as he was required to do, but in a very vicious manner. He gave Ygrisa the remotest, poorest part of the de Bois lands as her dower, which provides just enough income and food to sustain Ygrisa and the other inhabitants. It was so horrible that Ygrisa felt obliged to take refuge in Camelot so as not to be a further drain on the dower, one its people can ill-afford. Tristan escorted her there, seeing her safely to Uther’s hospitality and protection.
Of course, going to Camelot meant that he got a first-hand look at that kingdom’s troubles. Uther, it seems, has taken to warring with his neighbors, particularly Cadred of Escetia, at every opportunity. Ygraine is also unhappy because she is not yet child. Gorlois is often with Uther on campaign, leaving Vivienne to her own devices and while she may prefer this, Tristan heard rumors that Vivienne is taking on lovers whenever she can.
Vivienne has written of her antipathy for her husband, and I’ve tried to help her reconcile herself to the match, but she refuses to listen to me. She has not yet come out and stated that she blames me for her loveless marriage, but I sometimes feel that it is there, in between the lines of her letters.
The search went on for some hours. Once his chambers and those of the knights had been cleared of anything suspicious, Arthur offered his and their services in assisting in the search. Gwaine, all traces of his usual good humor gone, and Leon accompanied Bedwyr into the lower floors, including the dungeons. Cador and Samuel went with some of the other knights to search the more distant towers.
It was well into the early hours of the morning that everyone returned, all with defeated expressions. “There is nothing, my lady, my lord,” Bedwyr told Elaine and Pellinore. “We have torn the castle apart, and there is no trace that we can detect.”
Arthur listened grimly as everyone else reported the same thing. Elaine was no longer hoping that the children might have hidden themselves away from their attackers, and had grown steadily paler and paler as time had passed. It was especially worrying that nothing had been found. Kidnappers would have left some kind of ransom or message, claiming responsibility and issuing demands. That there was nothing…
“Call for Glynis,” Elaine said suddenly, cutting into Arthur’s thought.
Arthur started, confused, but Bedwyr merely nodded, turned on his heel, and marched out the door, a few of the guards following close behind. “Who is Glynis?” Arthur asked.
Pellinore glanced in his direction, seeming surprised that he was still there. “Glynis is a sorceress,” he explained. “She and others like her know how to sense magic, and how it was used in places.”
“If there’s no sign that my knights can detect,” Elaine added, “then that leaves the possibility that magic was used to cover up the evidence of the… kidnapping.” She paused, swallowing with difficulty. “If that’s the case, Glynis will find it. She is one of the best.”
Arthur nodded slowly. All he had ever seen of magic was its ability to destroy or, in the other extreme, restore. What Elaine and Pellinore described was unlike anything he had ever heard of before. Was this a common skill?
In the end, it didn’t take long for Arthur to see what the others described. Word arrived within an hour that Glynis had been found and was being escorted up to the castle. Elaine and Pellinore rushed out of the dining room then, leaving Arthur and Merlin to follow. As they strode along the corridors, Arthur cast a few looks in Merlin’s direction. He had been unusually quiet for some time, and Elaine’s explanation of Glynis’ abilities had left him absolutely white.
Yet again, a strange reaction concerning the subject of magic - fear, when just days before he had spoken in support of it. What was going through his fool head?
Elaine and Pellinore led the way up to the nursery, where they found Bedwyr waiting with a cloaked figure. As they approached, the figure reached up and threw back the hood of her cloak. Arthur blinked. The woman standing before him was probably younger than Merlin, looking to be no more than eighteen, perhaps nineteen, years old. Her hair was a mousy, plain brown, but her skin was smooth and her blue eyes were bright and clear.
She curtsied to Elaine and Pellinore. “My lady, my lord,” she murmured. “How may I be of service to you?”
“My children have been stolen, Glynis,” Elaine told her, clearly of no mind to bother with niceties. “My knights and guards can find no trace of where they might have gone.”
Glynis nodded slowly. “I see,” she replied. Reaching up, she untied her cloak and removed it. Bedwyr promptly reached out and took it from her as she stepped toward the door. She went inside alone, leaving the rest of them to watch from outside.
Arthur stood next to Elaine and watched as Glynis walked to the center of the nursery. The body of the nurse had long since been removed, but there still remained a stain of blood that showed where the woman had fallen, still bright red against the grey stone. She stared down at the mark, and then slowly raised her hands and began to chant. The words were unknown to Arthur, but he thought he recognized the language and tone from other sorcerers he had encountered in the past. Her hands began to glow with a pearly white light and a strange wind appeared out of nowhere, wafting her hair around her shoulders. In response to whatever power Glynis was calling on, dark, black balls began to appear. The first one hovered over the bloodstain, then a second and third over the children’s beds, and finally a fourth, a bigger one, that hovered above the rest, close to the ceiling. The first three lingered for a few moments, but then faded in the face of whatever Glynis was doing.
The fourth one, however, seemed to fight her. It darted lower, first toward Glynis, but then toward the door, toward Elaine. Immediately, Arthur grabbed Elaine by one of her arms and pulled her back, barely noticing that Pellinore and Merlin had also latched on to her and were pushing her behind them.
Arthur saw Glynis’ eyes narrow, saw the flash of fury, and her chanting grew louder, more powerful. The black ball halted its advance towards the door, and then started back to Glynis. She paused in her chanting, and then bellowed out a single, harsh shout. A corresponding burst of white, hot light flew from her hands and slammed into the black ball. The explosion was blinding, forcing Arthur to throw his hand up to shield his eyes.
When the light at last faded, Arthur lowered his hand and stared into the room. Glynis still stood in the center of the room, her hair askew and a terrible expression on her face, making her look more like one of the fey than the young woman she actually was. Then, just as suddenly, the expression was gone, and she was again recognizably human. She staggered, her body sagging with weariness. Arthur started forward to assist her, but was beaten to it when Merlin suddenly darted past him and caught her before she collapsed. He led her over to an empty chair and helped her to seat herself.
Glynis smiled her thanks at him, and Arthur thought she looked strangely star-struck as she gazed at Merlin. He didn’t have time to consider that - except to file it away as something to tease Merlin about at a more appropriate time - when she turned her tired gaze to them. “It’s all right now, my lady, my lords,” she assured them. “The foul magic is gone, and will do no further harm.”
Pellinore was the first to enter, still looking about warily, and then finally allowed Elaine and Arthur to follow him. “What was all of that?” Arthur demanded.
“Ill-intentioned magic, Your Majesty,” Glynis answered, her tone as exhausted as her posture. Merlin still stood at her side, the picture of concern. She smiled at him again, this time a mixture of thanks and amusement. “The smaller spells were merely echoes of what was here before - one that killed the nurse, two that put the children into a deep sleep before they could get off their beds. The fourth, however, was still an active spell.” She gave Elaine a grim look. “It was tailored to respond to Elaine herself - to incite suspicion and anger against… something to do with a specific object, but whatever it was isn’t here.”
Pellinore straightened, comprehension dawning on his face. “The fabric piece that the guards found,” he breathed.
Arthur understood, as did Elaine. “They wanted to turn me against Camelot,” she said. “That’s why it came toward me - it was trying to fulfill its purpose.”
Glynis nodded. “Indeed,” she agreed. “I was able to restrain it because its conditions weren’t fully fulfilled. You were close, but not in the room, and you weren’t holding the specified object.”
Arthur looked around the room. There was every indication of life in this room - a clutter of toys in the corner, from toys to wooden swords, a wardrobe that hung open. This was a place that should have been safe for his young cousins, but had instead been invaded and defiled with death and violence. “Someone has used magic against the ruling family,” he stated. “What do the laws of Cornwall call for such a case?”
Elaine crossed her arms in front of her. “It is the same when magic is used against anyone,” she replied. “First we have to discover the perpetuator’s identity.”
“I attempted to do so, my lady,” Glynis cut in. “I cannot give you a name, but I can give you some clues.” Confusion marred her pretty features. “The sorcerer’s blood signature is actually quite similar to His Majesty’s. It’s not the same, however, and it is also female.”
Arthur’s blood ran cold. To his knowledge, the only person of his bloodline that had magic was…
“Morgana,” Merlin said it out loud, anger clouding his features.
“Why?” Arthur wanted to know. “I mean, I know why she would go against us - she has been against me and tried to have me killed for years - but why would she take your children? Have you even met her?”
Elaine nodded, her eyes cold and harsh in the torchlight. “Yes, she and I have met a few times. Morgana accompanied Morgause here on her periodic visits a few years ago, until Morgause was banished.”
“Morgause?” Now Morgause was involved in all of this? “Why was Morgause here?”
Elaine looked at him in some confusion for a moment. “I didn’t tell you? Morgause is my half-sister, my father’s bastard by Aunt Vivienne?”
Arthur’s jaw dropped. “Gods,” he gasped.
She winced. “I didn’t,” she grimaced. “I’m sorry, Arthur. It’s common knowledge that Morgause was my older half-sister here in Cornwall. I’m used to everyone knowing about it. I just assumed…” She trailed off.
Arthur closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with tired fingers. His head was aching fiercely from lack of sleep and one revelation after another. “It’s all right,” he managed. “You said Morgause was banished? Why?”
“She tried to use magic on Elaine,” Pellinore said, his voice thick with anger and disapproval. “She attempted to assume control her, to get her to raise Cornwall’s armies against Camelot.”
Glynis nodded. “My aunt was present when it happened; she managed to fight the Lady Morgause off long enough for the guards to restrain the witch.” Her expression grew cold. “The effort burned my aunt’s magic out, and she was dead within a month.”
“Morgause was banished from Cornwall, forbidden to return on pain of death,” Elaine explained. “Morgana, however, continued to visit, as was her right as my cousin. She kept trying to convince me to join her and Morgause against Camelot, that Morgause was heartily sorry for ‘losing her temper’ as she did.” Elaine snorted bitterly. “Did she expect me to believe that? Morgause never did anything she didn’t mean. I’ve known that since I was a little girl.”
“The last time she was here was just a few weeks after Samhain, last year,” Pellinore told Arthur. “She informed us of Morgause’s death, holding the entire kingdom of Camelot responsible. But then she explained how she had torn the veil between life and death and released the Dorocha, by using Morgause as a sacrifice.”
“Morgana killed my sister,” Elaine said, her tone brooking no argument. “Whatever happened before that, it was Morgana who plunged the knife in and ended her life.”
Arthur nodded, inwardly reeling from this new information. “I never realized we were all so closely related,” he murmured.
Elaine laughed, though there was no humor in it. “Yes, it is rather startling, isn’t it? The four of us are all just shy of crossing the line to being products of incest.”
An uncomfortable silence descended in the wake of that statement, and Arthur tried not to think of how, some years ago, his father had hinted that Morgana would be considered an acceptable bride for any prince. At the time, he’d thought that his father was encouraging him to think of Morgana as a prospective bride. Now, he hoped, he prayed, that that wasn’t the case. He didn’t want to think that his father had actually urged his children to think of each other in such a manner.
Finally, Glynis spoke up. “I can try to track the Lady Morgana’s signature, to see if she is still close. It’s likely she won’t have gone too far, especially with Lord Marcus and Lady Aileen in tow.”
Elaine blinked rapidly, clearly having been lost in her own thoughts, but then she nodded. “Yes, that’s probably our best hope.”
Arthur watched as Glynis began to chant again, and soon enough he, Elaine, Pellinore, and Merlin were all following along in the sorceress’ wake. They strode through the corridors and out into the courtyard, which was still lit by torches. She led them along the edge, staying close to the walls of the keep, until they came to the gates. Glynis stopped, her brow furrowed in concentration. “She went into the city,” she reported. “It is more difficult to track her through all of the lingering signatures of everyone else that has been there, many of them magical themselves.”
“Please try, Glynis,” Elaine said. She was looking increasingly frantic. As Glynis led the way into the deserted streets of the city, Arthur could hear her muttering to herself, swearing to gut Morgana if she harmed either of her children.
Merlin, who had been sticking close to Glynis and watching her every move, soon fell back to walk beside Arthur. “This is fascinating, Arthur,” Merlin said lowly. “I never knew magic could do things like this!” He sounded so excited by the prospect.
Arthur couldn’t help but be amused by the younger man’s excitement. “Are you interested in the magic, Merlin?” he teased. “Or the lady who uses it?”
Merlin started to nod, but then stopped as he actually considered Arthur’s words. His resulting glare made Arthur smirk.
“Prat,” Merlin muttered.
Tintagel
I’ve just received a letter from Vivienne. Apparently she’s pregnant, only the child is not her husband’s. It’s Uther’s. Vivienne took our cousin’s husband to her bed and got a bastard from him.
I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, Vivienne had no problem bedding Tristan after our betrothal was made public. Tristan and I have never discussed the matter, nor have either of us ever mentioned little Morgause to one another, but I doubt he’s forgotten. I certainly haven’t. Still, for all that, I am shocked. Vivienne and Ygraine have always been close to each other, closer than Vivienne and I ever were in our later years. I didn’t think Vivienne would betray our cousin so blatantly by seducing her husband.
The situation is immensely complicated, and it makes me want to wring Vivienne’s fool neck. How could she put us through this again? Plus, it’s even worse this time! Vivienne swears in her letter that she’s adequately covered for the affair - short as it was, she claims - and bedded Gorlois soon enough afterward that he’ll think the child is his, but it’s not that simple. Such things don’t remain secret. Vivienne’s handmaid likely knows, since most servants make a point to know as much about their employers as possible, to better serve them. Has Vivienne accounted for that and done something to ensure the woman’s silence? Somehow, I doubt that. Minute details have always escaped her, and she’s never learned from her past mistakes.
Then there’s more. This child is Uther’s! Vivienne may dismiss her child as a bastard who would have no claim on Uther’s kingdom - her own words are “bastards don’t inherit kingdoms, after all” - but I know that others probably won’t see it that way. If the child’s paternity is found out, then the child could very well become the figurehead for all attempts to overthrow Uther and his legitimate bloodline. I must write to Vivienne immediately, and reiterate that no one can ever know this child’s true parentage.
Addendum: It makes me wonder if Uther knows about the child’s true paternity. I imagine he does; he can’t be that much of a fool. It makes me wonder, though. If he viewed Vivienne’s first child as a threat merely because of a few pain-induced prophecies, how might he view a child whose danger is so much more clear-cut? I don’t think my sister would be able to fake the death of another child, not when Uther will likely be scrutinizing this one so closely.
He had no problem demanding the murder of one child, so it won’t be any more difficult to demand the death of this one.
They reached the city gates around dawn. Glynis stopped there, looking about, and finally shook her head. “She appears to have gone north, towards the forest, my lady, my lords,” she told them wearily. “That is all I can tell you. Her trail has been obscured and is beyond my sight now.”
Elaine and Pellinore both nodded, but their faces were positively grey with worry. “We’ll have to -” Pellinore started to say, but was cut off by a loud, high-pitched screech.
A crow appeared overhead, diving down straight for them. Arthur began to duck instinctively, but the bird merely dropped what looked like a scroll of all things, and then flew off. The scroll, tiny in Elaine’s hand, was tied by a small green ribbon. Arthur watched as she untied it and unrolled the small document. She read it through and what little color she had left in her face drained away. Her blue eyes met Arthur’s, and she slowly held out the document to him.
He took it and held it up. He could feel Merlin’s presence over his right shoulder, also looking to see what it said.
Elaine,
Give me Arthur and Merlin for your children. They are unharmed as of now, but if you refuse, I swear, I will cut both their throats.
You have until the third afternoon bell. You will personally bring them into the forest, to the clearing half a league away from the city gates. You, and you alone. If I see anyone else, the children die.
Morgana
Arthur cursed under his breath. It didn’t surprise him that Morgana wanted him delivered up to her, he’d known that it was only a matter of time before she tried to kill him again. It had never been in her to stop once she’d set her mind to something. What caught him a little off-guard was that she was also asking specifically for Merlin. He said as much, glancing at the younger man.
Merlin sighed. “I think Morgana hates me more than she hates you, Arthur. You only sit on the throne that she is delusional enough to think is hers. Me, she blames for Morgause’s demise because I was one of those who injured her before the two of them fled Camelot.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. Merlin had never said much about what had happened in that confrontation that had ended with that entire chamber left a crumbling mess. The only other two witnesses had been similarly closed-mouthed about it. For Gaius, that wasn’t unusual, since he was notorious for keeping his mouth shut about things unless absolutely necessary. Lancelot, who could usually be prevailed upon to speak, had also determinedly kept mum about what had happened.
Still, it didn’t really matter, he supposed. The fact remained that Morgana was demanding that he and Merlin be handed over, and was holding two innocent children as leverage. It was an impossible situation. Yet, handing them over would only incite Camelot to wage war on Cornwall, which no one - save Morgana - wanted.
He turned to Elaine, who looked both furious and yet ready to weep. “Cousin, I will do whatever is necessary to help you recover the children. I have dealt with Morgana recently and her power is erratic, at best. We may be able to use that to our advantage.”
Pellinore stared at him intently. “What do you have in mind?”
In truth, Arthur had only the barest fragments of a plan in his mind. “First,” he said, “do you know of a sorcerer called Emrys?”
Both Elaine and her husband shook their heads, but Glynis, who had been silent for some time, went still and her eyes widened. “Glynis?” Arthur prodded.
The sorceress hesitated briefly, but then spoke. “Emrys is the man whose coming has been prophesized by the druids for centuries. To many people with magic, he is a bedtime story.” She gave Arthur a sharp look. “Are you saying he has come at last, Your Majesty?”
Arthur opened his mouth to respond, but Merlin jumped in. “I’ll see if I can round up any word of him, Arthur. Some of Gaius’ contacts have traveled to Cornwall in the past.” He started to back up, going back towards the city markets. “They might have an idea if he’s been in the area.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. He was beginning to fear he’d never quite understand Merlin, but now wasn’t the time to complain about it. Instead, he shoved his concerns aside and just nodded. “Go, Merlin. Hurry.”
Merlin hurried off at a run, miraculously not tripping over his own feet in his haste. Arthur turned back to Pellinore and Elaine, who were watching him with desperation in his eyes.
The plan came tumbling out in stages as they returned to the castle. When it was finally all out, few were happy about it. Arthur and Merlin would go out to meet with Morgana, as she stipulated. They would keep her distracted for as long as possible, while the knights from both Cornwall and Camelot circled around and flanked Morgana and any followers she might have with her. They would take out as many as possible through stealth, preventing any harm from coming to the children. Once the situation was under control, they would then approach the clearing, and between all of them, they would take Morgana into custody if at all possible.
“And this Emrys?” Pellinore asked. “What of him?”
Arthur ran his fingers through his hair wearily. “If he comes,” he replied slowly, “then I hope to prevail on him to help us with Morgana.”
The older man nodded, exchanging glances with Elaine, who had a thoughtful expression on her face. “This is probably the best plan we’ll come up with,” she said, “but one more thing.” She raised her chin almost defiantly. “I will be going with Arthur and Merlin.”
“No!” Pellinore and Arthur both shouted.
“Elaine -”
“My lady -”
“It’s too dangerous,” Arthur said.
“I will go,” Pellinore added.
She held her ground, shaking her head. “I think Morgana will be able to see that I am not a tall warrior in chain mail, husband,” she said, a little testy. “No, I will go. She will be expecting me, and my presence will buy you and the others more time, prevent her from seeing anything amiss.”
Arthur and Pellinore tried to convince her otherwise, but Elaine refused to be moved. Finally, all that could be done was for Arthur to swear to protect her. Pellinore wasn’t pleased, was in fact furious, but had no choice but to agree.
“All right,” Arthur said at last, “now we just need -”
He was interrupted by the heavy double doors swinging open. They moved with surprising speed, quite in contrast to the seeming frailty of the figure that stood on the other side. Arthur, who had turned, gaped at the new arrival.
A thin man, bent and white haired with age, and yet one who moved with surprising grace. Arthur had only seen the man on two separate occasions, on two terrible days, and yet he was certain he would never forget him.
The old man came to a halt a few feet from the three of them and gazed at them avidly. “I’m told you need assistance? Problems with the witch?” he inquired.
Arthur nodded, and his eyes shifted past Emrys’ shoulder. “Where is Merlin?”
“Hmm? Oh, him. I sent him to rally any druids he might find nearby. They’re best able to deal with someone as damaged as Morgana.”
“What?!” Arthur exclaimed. “We need him here! Morgana has demanded -”
“- both of you so she can kill you and avenge whatever wrongs you’ve done to her,” Emrys interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, I’ve heard it all before. I’ll stand in for him. Morgana won’t know the difference until we’re on top of her.”
Arthur wanted to protest, wanted to demand that Merlin return right this instant, but instead forcibly kept the words locked behind his teeth. They had to focus on the here and now if they were to succeed.
Only the gods didn’t appear to want to make things even remotely easy for them, because at that moment, someone else stumbled into the room. It took Arthur a moment, but he recognized the woman as Princess Vevay’s nurse. “My lady,” the woman said, her hair mused and her dress askew, “Her Highness - she’s gone!”
“What?!” Elaine had spent the past several hours under constant stress, and now had to face yet another crisis. “How? What happened?”
It appeared that Vevay had somehow gotten a hold of one of the mild sleeping potions that she was occasionally given to help her rest, and had put a few drops into the goblets belonging to her nurse and servant. They’d only just woken up, and the nurse had even heard on her way there that there was a horse missing from the stables.
“There’s no way she could have gotten out of the city,” Pellinore said. “Every exit is guarded and shut down. She’ll not be far.”
Elaine rubbed her forehead wearily and sighed. After a moment’s contemplation, she said, “We will focus on my children. My mother will have to wait. Hopefully she won’t do any lasting harm to herself in the meantime.”
No one argued with her.
Tintagel
Oh, wondrous news! I haven’t said anything about it for fear of being wrong, but I just had myself examined by a physician and had it confirmed. I am with child! I’m going to have a baby of my own!
This news is thrilling! After nearly four years of marriage and no signs of a child, I was beginning to fear that I might be barren, but now I need not worry about such a possibility. There is a child in my belly! The physician has given me a list of things to do and to avoid, and has also offered to put me in contact with a well-informed, successful midwife of his acquaintance.
I told Tristan immediately after the physician left, and he was overjoyed. He has done so much to restore Cornwall’s military prestige, and our cadres of knights are rapidly showing themselves to be the best in all of Albion, and he is looking forward to focusing some of that energy on our child, be it girl or boy.
This, of course, means that I will not be able to travel to Camelot to be with Vivienne for the birth of her child as I had planned to do, so I shall have to write to her and convey my news and my apologies. Ygraine will be with her, though I am not sure how much of a comfort that will be to my sister, since their friendship has been strained of late. Vivienne doesn’t think that Ygraine knows of her and Uther’s affair, but she has admitted in recent letters that she does feel some measure of guilt for sleeping with our cousin’s husband.
Which is more than she ever felt for sleeping with Tristan after he and I were promised to each other.
Oh, but I cannot be bitter today! Not after such news! I am going to be a mother!
Part Seven