It's not Betrayal

7-The Return of the Lost

"Arise mid min miclan mihte þín suna to helpe. Hider eft funde on þisse ne middangeard þín suna wæs."

Darkness rose around the figure, billowing and enveloping around her like a cloud, spreading its poisonous dark magic throughout the world. The disease of this terrible spell spread its contagious horror in long, smoky fingers. Emerging from the dark abyss of cloud, she stood limp and lifeless; a doll made from cloth with buttons for eyes. The only thing holding her up was seemingly the dark magic that summoned her. Seeing her creator, she flung herself on the ground before her.

"Master." The barely audible whisper escaped from her lips, her voice broken and hoarse.

"Now, now. There's no need for that." Morgana's pale and cracked lips were pulled upwards in a smug smile, her eyes blazing with the cursed magic that flowed through her veins and emitted off her like a bad smell. Morgana was proud of the creation that lay before her, kissing her feet. Even for a high priestess, necromancy was a difficult and frowned upon practice of magic.

"There is one thing I need you to do, if you are willing."

~

Gaius looked up at the sound of a knock on his door, and was surprised to find the King before him.

"Arthur." He stood up, the surprise in his voice ill-disguised. "What brings you here?"

Arthur stepped into the physician's chambers, unusually timid and closed, he was nervous. "I wanted to talk to you about Merlin."

"Ah." Gaius's questions about Arthur's strange demeanour and rare appearance were instantly extinguished. Honestly, he had been expecting the King to come around, the old man knew that Arthur would have trouble coming to terms with Merlin's magic.

"You are having difficulties accepting him?"

Arthur was about to interject, but then he realised that Gaius was exactly right.
He was almost ashamed when he quietly agreed.

"It's ok, Arthur, do not feel ashamed. Merlin's head is still on his shoulders." He chuckled. Gaius's attempt at humour didn't go very well with the King; his face remained stony and lifeless.

"I can't believe that this whole time, he has been a sorcerer and lied to me about it."

Gaius looked down with a sigh, he was partly the reason for all the secrecy after all. "Forgive me Sire, but I'm not sure if it's fair to blame Merlin for keeping his gifts a secret. You know your father's view on magic and those who practise it."

Even though Arthur understood this, he still felt hurt that Merlin hadn't told him sooner, it wasn't like he hadn't had the chance. Although, Gaius had a fair point.

Maybe it wasn't fair that Arthur was blaming Merlin. Uther had ruled with an iron fist all his reign, perhaps unfairly. He was still a little hurt Merlin had never said anything to him after Uther's death, but he recalled all the times he had told him that magic and all those who practice it were evil, and couldn't be reasoned with. Understandable.

Arthur remained silent, pondering all the times that it was obvious that Merlin was a sorcerer. How didn't I see it before? The long pause stretched longer and longer, nearly arriving at the point of awkwardness.

"He has done more for you than you can ever imagine." Gaius looked at him with heavy eyes, their wisdom and knowledge apparent in them. "He has saved you, this Kingdom, and everyone in it more times than I can count. He has suffered much at the hands of villains with evil intent you didn't even know were a threat to Camelot. He hasn't even told me how much he suffers, I don't think anyone could ever understand." Gaius looked so incredibly sad. He hated seeing how much Merlin suffered in silence.

How could I ever think he was evil? Arthur thought to himself. Of course Merlin wasn't evil. Merlin, who had waited outside the throne room the night his father died to make him feel like he wasn't alone. Merlin, who drank poison for him. Merlin, who constantly warned him against threats that all turned out to be true, even though Arthur never took them seriously. Merlin, who always gave him genuine advice. Merlin, who never treated him any differently. Merlin, who had saved him more times than could be counted, he realised now.

Arthur stood up with a jolt, the stool he had sat upon screeching across the stone floor. "Thank you Gaius, I know what I have to do now."

And with that, he rushed out of the physicians chambers.

~

Shouting for Merlin, Arthur rushed energetically into the throne room, his excitement disturbing the few occupants milling around the space, including a woman he had never met before. Arthur stopped, reading the tense and tight mood of the room.

"What's going on?" He looked at his servant, gesturing to the unexpected guest, all previous happiness he felt at his notion now gone. The woman wore a haggard and worn dress, covered with an old travelling coat. Despite her peasantry appearance, she had a regal sort of aura about her. With hair white and shining like the cold winter sun, twinkling sky blue eyes, and ivory skin, she looked fit to be a queen.

"There's someone to see you, m'lord." Tobias bowed respectively to his King. "She says she knows you."

"Arthur!" The woman exclaimed, raising her arms, rushing towards Arthur in hope of a hug. Arthur instinctively took a step back, hands ready on the hilt of his trusted sword.

"And who might you be?"

She threw her head back in a light and tinkling laugh, but it was devoid of life; hollow and vacant. "I thought you might recognise me." Once she realised that Arthur had no clue as to who she might be, she continued on, her hurt not well hidden. Closing the space between her and Arthur, she gazed up at him through thin eyelashes, a delicate finger reaching to tuck a strand of hair spun from gold behind Arthur's ear.

"You must listen to me, Arthur, for I have quite a story to tell." Her eyes were desperate and full of longing. "I have waited with bated breath for this moment, and now that you are here, in front of me... I cannot believe it." Lovingly, she placed a pale hand on the King's cheek.

"During the Great Purge, I was accused of sorcery. I had no choice but to flee Camelot if I valued my life."

"Then why are you here?"

"Before I left, I had given birth to a child. A wonderful, beautiful boy. I managed to escape and flee far from Camelot, but when I heard news of Uther's passing, I had to come back. I had to come see him." She smiled daintily, cautiously at Arthur.

Hearing this woman was a sorceress, Arthur backed away from her like she was plagued with a contagious disease. "What makes you think I'll allow you to stay here, that I'm not like my father?"

"Because I know you're not. I know you're twice the man he could ever be."

"You say that like you know him."

She laughed again, dainty and hollow. "Oh Arthur, of course I knew your father."

A chill was beginning to seep into Arthur. No way. It couldn't be.

"Forgive me Sire, let me introduce myself." She curtsied, somehow mockingly.

"My name is Ygraine Pendragon."

~

Da da DAAA. Yes, the return of the lost. Thanks to my two besties who helped with the plot (hey potato gods). GUYS I'm so happy I have an actual plot now and I know what I'm doing! Somewhat... I can't guarantee anything. As per usual, much procrastination was involved in this chapter. More so because I had so much assessments, and I still do, but it feels less like I'm drowning now.

Remember to vote and comment (pleeeeassse I'm so desperate) if you liked this chapter. Thanks so much for reading, have a nice day/night.

-Peter