Forbidden Love (Rewritten) | Arthur Pendragon

12 • TO KILL THE KING

"Gal...dur. Galdr...Med... Kra... Með krafti...,"

Eowyn was still trying to decipher the content of the Ljosalfar Book. Of course, she knew that she could not understand the runes' meaning on her own, but she still tried to decipher it thanks to the picture so she could have a general idea of what one chapter was about. The one she was currently studying was covering "Gladr". She was not entirely sure of what it exactly was, but she believed it to be a sort of magic, like Seidr though different in usage. From what she figured out, Galdrar were incantations and runes that could be associated with some. The first incantations she had encountered seemed to have healing powers which could happen to be quite useful in the future. However, both Seidr and Galdr, akin to the magic of the Old Religion, were to be studied. So it could take years and years before one could actually master it, and even more if they don't know the meanings of the words they use.

Eowyn wanted to deepen her knowledge of magic, and perhaps, her skills as well. She was still not sure about the latter. No, in fact, she was certain that she wanted to broaden her range. However, she was too scared to actually try to do so. The only moments where she uses magic are when she is forced to. When the situation requires it. When she or someone else is in danger. These moments are occasional, which provides her with safety. The less she uses it, the more chances she has of living. And the more she uses it, the more chances she has to get caught. She did not want to face the same fate as that poor man on the day she had arrived in Camelot. And what would her friends think of her? What would Arthur think of her? He said he would never send her to jail nor would he execute her, but he only said that because he knew her and because he believed her not to be a magical being. But if he finds out the truth, he would feel betrayed. And he would lose all trust he had in her.

But if she does not deepen her skills, could she really protect the people she cares for? Was she enough as she was?

Eowyn closed her book and let out a sigh. She was told she was destined to do great things yet she knew nothing about these great things. What should she do exactly? How could she help Arthur be king? Was it really her destiny? Wasn't that of her brother? Could two individuals share the same destiny? And how should she restore Camelot back to its glorious state? Wasn't it Arthur's goal since he was to be king? What was her role exactly? Where was her place in all that?

"Can't sleep?" she heard Gaius say.

Looking up, she saw Merlin emerging from his room. Eowyn and Gaius, the night being quite advanced already, were still up. The old man was working and Eowyn had been studying. As Merlin had the most tiring job out of the three of them (without counting the many times he had to fulfill his destiny), he was always the one going to sleep first. So it was not usual to see him awaken in the middle of the night, especially when he was a heavy sleeper.

"Something woke me," Merlin said.

"What?"

"I don't know... A feeling,"

Eowyn frowned. For Merlin, the boy who wouldn't get up even if one calls his name, to be woken up by a feeling, said feeling must be quite significant. So she asked: "What kind of feeling?"

"Powerful magic, here, in Camelot," he said. And before anyone could say anything more, the door suddenly burst open and Gwen hurried into the chambers. Eyes teary and visage deformed by concern, she immediately sought the comfort of Merlin's presence. "Gwen, what's wrong?" Merlin gently took her hands which soothed her quite a bit.

"My father's been arrested,"

"Arrested? What for?"

"They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer! They're charging him with treason!"