Forbidden Love (Rewritten) | Arthur Pendragon

18 • THE TWENTIETH BIRTHDAY

Birthdays were events most people look forward to. It was a reminder of life. A celebration of life. For one's life. Birthdays were moments when families gathered together to honor and laud a member of the household by offering presents or hosting an event for those who could afford it. Birthdays were days of joy.

For Eowyn, birthdays have always felt a little confusing. She did not know the date of her exact birth which also always reminded her of the fact she knew nothing of her birthparents. And for a long time, she had believed she was abandoned and it was not a very comfortable thought to have. So instead, the birthday became "adoption day" and Hunith and Merlin gathered with her to celebrate the day she joined the family. And they have always managed to make her feel utterly bliss on these days, particularly loved and blessed.

However, this year was a little different. She would be twenty and reaching a new decade is already quite special on its own. But what truly made it more unique for Eowyn was that Hunith's present she planned on giving to her was surely related to her birth parents. Eowyn knew nothing about it except for the nervousness in her heart. Perhaps, she was giving herself false hope and nothing would help her in her research.

Eowyn slid her arm and head between the string and the wood of her bow.

"I'd be more at rest if I were to come with you," Merlin said.

He and Gaius had come to send Eowyn off. They stood at the gate of the town as Eowyn was checking for the nth time the bags attached to her horse.

"I doubt Arthur could survive a day without you," Eowyn said. "Besides, I have my bow and arrows, plus my powers. It will be alright,"

"The only time Merlin gets careful and not reckless is when he's being a good brother," Gais mocked.

"Hey, I'm just right beside you!"

"Oh? You are? I didn't see you,"

Eowyn let out a laugh before embracing her brother then her mentor, before mounting her horse. "I'll be back by the end of the week,"

Merlin was not entirely at ease with the idea of his little sister traveling on her own. After her capture by Hengist, though she was safe now, did not mean his men would seek retaliations or that other mercenaries would try to attack a woman alone in the forest. He knew she was capable of defending herself, but if she was outnumbered, it wouldn't be easy. And this time, he would have no way to figure out whether or not she was safe.

The problem was that he could not afford to leave, both as Arthur's servant and mostly as a warlock. Merlin was almost a hundred percent certain that Arthur would accept if Eowyn asked him to come along, which would also mean that he had to come along. But, again, Eowyn and Arthur ceased to interact, or at least, it became very seldom. Besides, as Crown Prince of Camelot, Arthur must remain in the town and Uther would most certainly never allow his son to leave for what he would deem an unimportant reason.

So Merlin nodded and waved goodbye to Eowyn. All he could do now was hope nothing bad would happen on the way.

And indeed, nothing happened during her trip. Being attacked had indeed been a worry of Eowyn. She had grown a little paranoid since her kidnapping. Also, she was not used to traveling alone. She did so when she wanted to sacrifice herself to save her mother, but the way to the Isle of the Blessed was so hectic and rushed that her mind was not included in reflexion. Now, on a serene walking horse, she could allow her mind to wander a bit, and, of course, it could only be preoccupied with the matter of her birth.

Eowyn had ceased her research on her parents and her people as she figured she could not advance on her own. She tried but not understanding Old Norse was a major obstacle, rendering her incapable of studying the Ljosalfar book. For her to learn Old Norse, it was necessary to leave for Usad but then, what about her destiny? If she leaves, would that mean she would derogate it? How could she stand beside Arthur or bring Camelot back to its glorious state if she was not in the kingdom anymore? Should she be egotistical and feed her curiosity regarding her past, or should she abandon her research permanently and fulfill her destiny? The answer was obvious. She should fulfill her destiny. Yet, she was hesitant.