Conquest Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Days were long and dull, filled with the mundane work of being King. Arthur held court. He listened to grievances of the noblemen, grievances that he found incredibly petty and sometimes ridiculous, until he wanted to throttle everyone who came before him.

"No wonder my father was evil and mad," Arthur often complained after a long day of holding court.

The snow had stopped falling a couple of weeks previously. After two months of it he was glad for it to be over. At the same time he was sorry to see it go. The spring thaw was upon them. Days got warmer, skies became bluer and sunnier for longer stretches at a time.

It wasn't until the day came to a close that Arthur took some pleasure in life. Over the past couple of months a routine had been formed. He would hold court and meet with his men to manage the kingdom. At the end of the day he would retire to his chambers to change clothes and take his blasted crown off. He was amazed how heavy the thing could be and not all the weight, he knew, was physical. His neck was often stiff and tight from a day of wearing the heavy weighty ring of metal that set him above every other man in the kingdom.

After rolling some of the stress from his shoulders he would go to the dining hall to enjoy dinner with his sisters, Queen Minerva, and Guinevere. Guinevere taken up a spot to his left. It had usually been occupied by Morgause but she'd quietly and gracefully given up that place. Though Arthur and Guinevere never spoke of their affections it was obvious to anyone who looked at them.

"Guinevere would make a great queen for Camelot and a loving wife to you," Morgause had said one evening as they left the dining hall. She didn't wait for a response. Rather she'd exited gracefully on a small smile.

After dinner Arthur would return to his chambers to soak the stress of the day away in a hot bath. Then Guinevere would come. Sometimes she dismissed his man and joined him in the tub. Sometimes she merely washed his back.

He never dressed after the bath. Guinevere never gave him the chance.

They didn't make love every night. Sometimes they just sat by the fire in companionable silence. He would read poetry or regale her with some tale of some amusing adventure that didn't involve the long and painful war between their fathers. He had to edit the women out of those adventures, fearing Guinevere wouldn't find those tales very amusing at all.

Life was so normal, so wonderful, and so peaceful that Arthur's heart broke every time he thought of how soon the weather would change and he would have to give Guinevere back to her father.

For now, however, life was good.

*****

The snow was gone. There was no excuse for Guinevere and Queen Minerva to remain in Arthur's hands.

Sweat cooled on Arthur's skin. His breath came quickly. His heart thundered beneath his breast. Guinevere was hot against him. He enjoyed the way her naked thigh gleamed when she lifted it over him.

"I received word today. The roads have been cleared. Your father travels toward my lands even now."

Guinevere didn't move. She remained still, as though she feigned sleep in the hopes that she could pretend that it was now over, this life of quiet bliss they'd enjoyed.

She circled his nipple with one of her fingers and gently tugged at the tiny hairs that grew there.

"When do we leave?"

"I have ordered Gawain to prepare a caravan. He reports that we will be ready to travel by tomorrow morning."

"So soon?" she asked, lifting her head.

"The snow is gone. I cannot delay any longer. Your father will not tolerate further delays. Neither will your mother."

Guinevere swallowed and put her head back on Arthur's shoulder. In a few seconds he felt her shaking.

"Guinevere?"

She got up, turning her naked back to him, and sat on the edge of the bed. She was crying.

No, she was weeping. Violently.

"Guinevere!"

He tried to touch her but she moved out of his reach. Why was she angry with him?

"I have to go. I have to prepare for travel," she said. She pulled her night dress on and fastened her robe.

"Please don't go. This is our last night together. I want to keep you beside me as long as --"

"It'll just be harder to leave in the morning," she said. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

"Guinevere…"

"Goodbye, Arthur."

She left the room and Arthur fell back on his pillows. It wasn't until he knew she was gone that he let the tears fall.

*****

Morning dawned frigidly cold. Guinevere's clothes had been freshly laundered. She liked her trousers better than the skirts. They were warmer on her legs since the inside was lined with wool.

Her mother met her in the dining hall. The sun would not rise for a couple of hours.

"I am anxious to leave. Arthur says it is only a three day journey to the meeting place," Minerva said as soon as she lay eyes on her daughter. It wasn't until she noticed the forced nature of Guinevere's smile that she stopped talking.

"You don't look very happy to return home."

"I'm happy, Mother."

Her mother wasn't fooled. She put her chin down and regarded Guinevere in a way that gently demanded honesty. She hadn't been on the receiving end of that look since she was twelve years old.

"I'll miss…Camelot."

"You'll miss Arthur. Oh, Gwen, do you really think I haven't known where you've spent your nights these past months?"

"You must be disappointed," Guinevere said, feeling her face warm with embarrassment.

"Not at all. I understand better than you might imagine. Your father and I had an arranged marriage. We also, quite fortunately, had the good fortune to fall in love almost as soon as we lay eyes upon each other. We didn't wait for our wedding night either."

"Mother!" Guinevere whispered. She tried not to show embarrassment at this bit of personal information about her parents.

A familiar giggle came from behind Guinevere. "Do tell, Minerva!" Morgan said, coming to the table to sit beside Guinevere. "You and King Thomas had a scandalous affair before you took vows?"

"I don't wish to discuss this," Guinevere said.

"Well, I do," Morgan insisted. She looked eagerly at Minerva, who only shook her head.

"Let us just say we…knew…one another quite well by the time our wedding night came."

Morgan giggled again but thankfully dropped the subject once breakfast was put upon the table.

*****

Arthur didn't join them for breakfast but he waited in the courtyard when Guinevere and Queen Minerva emerged from the castle. Dawn had lightened the sky in the east and it now slowly spread across the castle, casting long, dark shadows. Arthur helped Queen Minerva into the steel carriage that was draped with furs inside.

He could feel the delicate bones of Guinevere's hand as he took it to help her into the carriage. She paused for a moment and looked into his steely blue eyes.

"You have been kind to us. Thank you," she said.

Arthur nodded. "You and your mother have made this cold, dark winter warm and bright and a joy to endure."

She bowed her head once and stepped into the carriage, which was warmed with a pan of hot coals that had to be removed before travel could begin. Blankets were given to Guinevere and Minerva to cover up with once the heat from the coals faded.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur asked, seeing his sisters come down from the castle dressed for travel.

"We wish to come along," said Morgause.

"I'm not certain you're ready for travel, Morgause."

She smiled and shook her head. "I need to travel, Arthur. I've been held prisoner in this castle long enough. I know your fear -- that once I leave these walls I won't wish to return. Not so, I promise you. I will always be your sister and your ally."

"And you, little sister?" Arthur asked, looking at young Morgan.

"I don't know. I just want to get out for a bit. I may wish to stay abroad for awhile but I will return, I assure you."

Arthur didn't want to hold on too tightly. He loved his sisters but he didn't want to do as his father and restrict their freedom. They would come to resent him for it if he did. Besides, they were women in their own right and they had powerful magic. They could fend for themselves but he dreaded losing Guinevere and his sisters in one trip out from the castle.

Finally he bowed his head and opened the carriage door to allow his sisters entrance. He felt a deep sense of loss when he closed it behind them, as though he were shutting the door to all he held dear and he would never see them again.

*****

Four days of travel went by without a hint of trouble. Then a messenger arrived on the road to Crandyn with bad news.

"My Lord," he said, bowing. He was covered in soot and blood. "I have unfortunate news to bring."

"Speak it," Arthur said.

"Those loyal to King Uther managed to steal him away from the North tower only hours after you arrived. The nobles you banished from Camelot have worked together since their exile to form an alliance of those loyal to King Uther. They have spread lies that you have wrongfully taken the crown. Sire…they have many men. Uther has attacked King Thomas's envoy. The battle rages even as we speak."

"Father," Guinevere whispered. She looked to her mother. Minerva's face was stoic but there was fear in her eyes.

"Gawain, take a few men and return to Camelot. I want you to keep court while I'm away."

"I've always been at your side in battle," Gawain said. He looked surprised and hurt that Arthur wanted to separate him now.

"Right now I need you to sit on the throne of Camelot. I need someone I can trust to secure my Kingdom until I return. There is no man I trust more with such a responsibility."

Gawain clearly preferred to ride into battle but he knew this duty was a solemn one that he could not refuse.

"If there is rot in my kingdom, Gawain, I give you authority to cut it out," Arthur said quietly.

Gawain nodded. "I will not fail you, Arthur."

"I know. Send as many knights as you can spare. We ride to aid King Thomas and put an end to my father once and for all."

"If we ride all night we can make Crandyn by morning."

Arthur's eyes closed. Nimue had arrived with her usual quiet stealth.

"Nimue!"

Morgan emerged from her tent, which had just been erected, and threw herself into the older sorceresses arms. Nimue's smile was genuine, warm even, as she held Morgan.

"Morgan, how I've missed you! And you, Morgause!"

Morgause also embraced Nimue, though she looked at Arthur with understanding. She knew he still had lingering feelings of mistrust for magic, for Nimue in particular.

"Brother, come here," Morgause said.

Arthur reluctantly approached them.

"Oh, don't look so sour!" Morgan gushed. "Nimue is our friend!"

"Is she?"

"Nimue saved me from a terrible fate," Morgause said. "She has done nothing to betray you, Arthur, ever. I know for fact that mother chose to sacrifice her life to save her child. Nimue feared the consequences of saving Morgan, and rightly so, since she knew how volatile Uther was. Since then she has kept to herself, working only to save her people from Uther's unjust war. She did not murder our mother, Arthur. It is time to cleanse your heart of the poisonous lies Uther has told you all these years."

Easier said than done, Arthur thought.

He knew everything Morgause said was true, yet he couldn't bring himself to fully trust Nimue regardless of how hard he tried. There was something in her eyes, something in her manner that made him wary.

Perhaps it was nothing more than the lies his father had drilled into him for so long. Perhaps it was more than that. This feeling of lingering mistrust was in his gut, not his mind, and he'd long ago learned to trust his gut feelings over his thoughts, regardless of how the situation looked at the time.

Nimue looked at him expectantly. He finally offered a hand. "I welcome you to the camp, Nimue. I no longer call you my enemy."

Morgan squealed her delight. Morgause sighed in relief.

Nimue bowed her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I hope that one day magic can return to Camelot and I can once again serve her king."

"You can help me now," Arthur said.

"Ask anything."

"I need to know how many men and what sort of resources my father has. I need to know what to expect when we ride into battle."

"I shall discover that now. Morgan, would you care to assist?"

"I'd love to."

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.

"Simple Earth magic, I assure you," Nimue said. "I need you to conjure a still pool…"

Nimue led Morgan a few feet away, detailing what she needed. Arthur watched with a sense of unease. He knew Morgan wished to leave Camelot to study magic with Nimue. He feared losing her. He feared that magic would corrupt his sweet, darling sister. He feared that should that ever happen they would become enemies.

Morgan conjured a pool of water roughly three feet in diameter. The surface was as smooth as glass. Nimue chanted and Morgause used her cane to hobble over to them. Her voice was soon added to Nimue's and, as Arthur watched, an image of his father sitting astride a horse came upon the surface of the water.

Arthur moved closer with Guinevere and Minerva. Together they observed the former king of Camelot as he gave orders for men to ride into battle.

"He looks like he's gone through hell," Percival said, coming to join them. "Good. He deserves it."

The glassy surface of the pool Morgan had conjured began to gently ripple. When it was still once again another area was shown. Arthur didn't recognize the place but fires raged. Men screamed and the hollow sound of clashing swords made an unpleasant cacophony that was the sounds of war. Arthur had always hated that sound.

"Where is this?"

"Sandwood," Minerva said. "East of Crandyn. I have family there."

"Nimue, will you assist Arthur and his knights in battle?"

Nimue nodded readily. Arthur swallowed hard.

"Something the matter, brother?" asked Morgause.

He shook his head, ignoring his gut instinct that Nimue had ulterior motives for being so helpful.

"Let us ride."

"I'm going with you," Guinevere said.

"As am I," Minerva added.

Arthur doubted, from the stern set of their jaws and the fierce gleam in their eyes, he would be successful in talking them into allowing him to handle this. He decided not to argue. They were capable warriors and he was short of men. They would be valuable on the battlefield.

"Mount up. We move out now. Perce, see to it the men leave the camp behind. We haven't the time to pack up and haul everything."

Percival bowed and left to follow orders.

*****

The inky darkness pressed in on both sides of the road. Torches magically enhanced by Morgan and Morgause floated ahead, lighting the way. Nimue had already left to assist Thomas's army in dealing with Uther's invasion.

"You've been quiet," Guinevere said during a short break for the horses.

"I can't think of who set my father free and managed to get him to his allies in Sandwood," Arthur said. "It would take magic to do such a thing."

Guinevere nodded and thought it over. "You suspect Nimue?"

Arthur turned his head in her direction but he couldn't lift his eyes to Guinevere's. "You don't agree, I take it?"

"I do not. I can't imagine Nimue would render any sort of aid to Uther considering their volatile past."

"I've never understood why he turned against her. Morgan is his favored child. She always has been. Why declare war on magic when it was magic who saved her life? I don't believe Uther ever loved mother that much."

"Perhaps it wasn't love that motivated him. Perhaps it was pride."

"Pride?"

"Igraine was one of his favored conquests, was she not? Uther murdered a good friend of his to take her."

"No scenario we come up with will ever make sense. I'm not certain even he knows his motivations."

"Uther's mind is dark and twisted, Arthur. He is black of heart and has no soul. It is impossible to reason out his madness."

Arthur nodded in agreement and reached for her hand. She readily laced her fingers with his and they shared a long look. Arthur felt eyes upon them and saw Minerva look hastily away from his exchange with her daughter. He let Guinevere's hand drop and then ordered the ride to continue.

*****

The sound of battle grew louder as Arthur urged his horse on. They crested a hill and looked down into a valley. It was broad daylight  but the valley was difficult to see with so much smoke obscuring the streets and houses of Sandwood.

“Look! Dragons!”

Arthur’s eyes went to the sky. Four dragons circled there. The oldest male, Kilgarrah, carried Merlin upon his back. They breathed fire down upon Uther’s men but there was an invisible shield that held the flames at bay.

“He’s using magic,” said Morgause. “Hypocrite!”

Percival started down the path into the village first, without approval from Arthur. As the king watched in horror Allegra, mate of Kilgarrah, separated from the other dragons and swooped right toward him.

“Percival!” Arthur shouted.

Percival looked up just in time to see Allegra breathe fire upon him. Arthur expected to see his knight incinerated but, as with Uther and his men, the flames were stopped by an invisible shield. Nimue stood not far ahead, her hand outstretched. It was she who protected Percival.

“Nimue! How dare you save a Knight of Camelot from justice! He deserves to die!”

“I have made a bargain with King Arthur. I will not allow his men to come to harm if I can help it, Allegra. I am sorry my agreement brings us into conflict.”

“I will have vengeance!” Allegra vowed. Smoke puffed from her nostrils. She gave a scream of rage before flying back to Merlin. Nimue turned to Arthur.

“Ride on. You haven’t much time. I will notify King Thomas of your arrival and that you come as friend, not foe.”

“Thank you.”

Nimue disappeared in the blink of an eye. Arthur urged his men to ride on.

*****

Uther’s men would break through the feeble bulwark Thomas’s men had erected very soon. Now, as he stood in the lookout tower of his father-in-law’s villa, Thomas could see the Pendragon banner flying high and proud as more men arrived behind Uther’s army.

“I should have known that scum would betray us!” Vortigern groused.

“It is you who have betrayed King Thomas, Vortigern.”

Both men jumped at Nimue’s unexpected arrival. Thomas looked from her to Vortigern. “What is she saying?”

“She lies! I have never betrayed you, My Lord. You’re my king, my ally--”

“Spare us,” Nimue said, rolling her eyes. “I assure you, My Lord, the men fighting with Uther do so under Vortigern’s orders. They all bare his shield branded into their forearms.”

“What of Arthur? Has he harmed my wife and daughter?”

“He rides to give you aid. He is your true ally, not Vortigern. See for yourself.”

Nimue nodded at the unfolding battle. Indeed, Arthur Pendragon himself rode bravely into battle against Uther’s men. He spotted his wife and daughter riding with him and his heart swelled with love and relief. They were alive.

That warm feeling turned cold as he looked down upon Vortigern. Thomas drew his sword and put the tip to Vortigern’s throat.

“I will give you one chance to survive this battle. Draw your sword.”

Sweating now, Vortigern drew his sword with shaky fingers. His attempt to fight was a joke. Whatever skill Vortigern had now didn’t lie in ability with the blade but rather in his sly tongue and ability to trick.

Vortigern came to his end swiftly.

“You were merciful to the traitor,” Nimue said.

“It was more than he deserved. Right now I have more important things to concern myself with.”

Thomas raised a red flag that rested at his feet and called out to Merlin. The wizard above brought all four of his dragons to rest on the ground.

“Merlin!” he called down. “It’s time to fight! Arthur is here as our ally, not our enemy.”

Merlin nodded. “Understood.”

“I’m coming down. Wait for my arrival before you open the gates!”

Merlin nodded again. His eyes met Nimue’s and he bowed to her. She returned the sign of honor before disappearing.

*****

“Uther!”

Arthur bellowed his father’s name as he rode into battle, cutting down one man after another. His horse suddenly faltered and Arthur realized it had been struck in the knees by an axe wielding mercenary. Arthur tumbled over the horse and rolled to his feet, bringing up his sword just in time to block the axe that same thug tried to bring down upon his head. His steed’s blood dripped onto his forehead and Arthur heard the pained and panicked cries of his horse only a few feet away.

Over and over the gigantic mercenary brought his axe down, as though trying to pound Arthur into the earth. Arthur finally rolled away and came up to face his opponent. The man was big but slow and Arthur used speed to his advantage. He dodged a whooshing swing of the axe and came in low, thrusting his sword into the big man’s muscled midsection. The grunted in pain, then cried out as Arthur twisted the blade, and then withdrew. He didn’t end there, however. He made sure to finish the man off with another thrust to the chest.

“I liked that horse,” Arthur said, as he saw the light die from the man’s eyes.

Arthur rushed to his horses side. The carnage to the animal was terrible. The front left leg was severed at the knee. Its eyes were wide with pain and fear.

“It’s all right. You won’t suffer long.”

Arthur ended the horse with a thrust to the brain. It stilled at once and he turned to join the battle. He had to find his father. He had to put an end to Uther Pendragon once and for all.

*****

Guinevere remained at her mother’s side. They fought well but progress was slow. She couldn’t stop worrying about Morgause and Morgan. It had been a mistake to bring them into this. They weren’t warriors. On the battlefield they were a distraction.

“There he is,” Morgause said.

“Where?”

She put a hand to Guinevere’s shoulder and pointed toward the center of the main road. Uther was a hundred yards away at best.

“Help me get to him,” Morgause said, just loud enough for Guinevere to hear.

“I should be the one to put an end to him,” Morgause said. “I’ve suffered at his hand in ways no one else has. It should be me.”

Guinevere nodded. She agreed but she doubted Arthur would. “What about Arthur?”

“He’ll have to learn to live with it.”

Hatred seethed in Morgause’s eyes. Guinevere could understand her hatred. Had she suffered at a man’s hands as Morgause had…

“Very well. Stay close.”

“I intend to.”

“Mother, can you protect Morgan?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I’m going to help Morgause get to Uther. Keep Morgan safe.”

Minerva hesitated before agreeing. She kissed Guinevere on the cheek. “Be careful, my dear.”

“I will.”

Most of the men were preoccupied fighting Arthur and Thomas’s knights to notice the two women who crept toward Uther. As they closed the space between them, however, they met with increasing resistance.  Guinevere faced three guards who kept a safe zone around Uther, who sat upon his horse watching the battle.

“Move,” Morgause said.

She stepped around Guinevere and lifted her hand. Her eyes flashed red and the men went flying, one nearly knocking Uther from the saddle. He turned around to see who had gotten so close and his eyes locked with Morgause. He grinned.

“Ah, Igraine.”

“My name is Morgause,” she said. She pulled a sword from one of the dead men nearby and Uther laughed.

“You’re barely able to walk without a cane yet you expect to face me in battle?”

“Get down from your horse, Uther, and face me. Or are you too much of a coward to face a half-crippled woman?”

The smirk faded from his face. He moved to dismount when someone crashed into him with a cry of rage. Both men tumbled to the ground.

It was Arthur.

The new king of Camelot put his sword to Uther’s throat.

“No!” Morgause screamed. “No! I am the one! It is I who should face him, Arthur!”

Arthur looked up from his father’s stunned expression to his sister. “You?”

“Arthur, please. I’ll never know peace if you rob me of this chance at vengeance.”

The pleading in her eyes was heartbreaking. Guinevere put a hand to her shoulder and implored Arthur herself. “She’s right, Arthur.”

“He may kill her,” Arthur said worriedly. “I couldn’t live with myself--”

“I’ll never forgive you if you kill him,” Morgause said.

As loathe as he was to release his father to attack his sister, Arthur couldn’t live with resentment and anger between himself and Morgause. Against his better judgment he hauled Uther to his feet.

“Face her. Face the woman you should have loved as a daughter but molested and abused in the worst possible way,” Arthur said.

Uther shoved at Arthur and drew his sword.

“I will be victorious in this battle,” Uther said, approaching Morgause with a new smirk on his wizened face. “I will execute my traitorous son and you, my dear, will return to my bed!”

Morgause’s eyes flashed yet again. The sword she held flew from her hand and attacked Uther. He was momentarily taken aback by her use of magic. He quickly recovered but age, years of hedonism, fattening foods and drink had taken their toll. He was no longer the warrior he once was.

Morgause’s enchanted sword disarmed him and ran him through. Uther grunted in pain as he collapsed to his knees. She pulled the sword from his belly and used her cane to knock the sword from his hand. She bent over before her former stepfather and looked him in the eye. The words she spoke were for him only.

“Magic has returned to Camelot. Arthur has made peace with King Thomas. The war is over. Morgan’s visions have shown her that Arthur will marry Guinevere and a new age of peace and prosperity will reign for decades to come and you, Uther, will be despised for all eternity.”

“No…” he whispered.

Everything he’d fought to keep from happening was coming to pass. His life was over. His war was over.

“You’ve lost, Uther, and you’ll go to hell knowing it,” Morgause whispered.

There was a last spark of hatred in Uther’s eyes before he fell.

“Thomas!”

Guinevere looked away from Uther’s body. Queen Minerva and Morgan had reached them. Now the good queen ran to her husband, who struck down his last opponent as he approached. He took his wife in his arms and kissed her deeply.

“Guinevere,” he said, opening his arms to his daughter. She ran to him and held him close as the urge to weep won the battle against her desire to appear strong and stoic. 

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