A Journey Through Time (unedited) -Time Slipping Away Chronicles Volume 1-

Pregnant

Morgan le Fay was pregnant.

We decided not to tell her since Arthur would be gone soon to the front lines and she would safe, well for the most part. The worst part about that was when Arthur leaves so does Merlin. I was dreading this fact but I knew that Morgan le Fay was waiting for her hour of freedom when he left.

All we had to do now was wait. Morgan le Fay had become my apprentice and would help me with whatever I was working on each day. Normally that meant taking care of Uther, who was steadily recovering but I knew that no matter how well he got that he would never recover fully. Right now all we, me and Alden, are hoping for is to extent his life for as long as possible.

It was during one of these day when Morgan le Fay and I were taking care of him that Uther woke up for the first time since before I had come to the castle.

"My lord." I said "how are you feeling?"

"I'm awake and alive. But who are you?" He said turning towards me.

"My name is Eleanor I was working as Alden's apprentice when your son Prince Arthur came to get Alden to take care of you." I answered honestly yet leaving out what he didn't need to know.

"I see. But I don't know you where are you from?" He pushed.

"I came from beyond your borders from a small country called Texas that most people haven't heard of to be Alden's apprentice. Alden's skill is known very far."

"I see. Well thank you for taking care of me." He said.

"Of course my lord but I wasn't the only one." I said gesturing to Morgan le Fay. " But my lord please understand you will never fully heal from this wound. The damage done was extensive and you will never recover from it fully. The scars from this experience will remain, mine and Alden's skill cannot remove them for you."

Uther nodded and said, "it's quite alright my dear I knew my time was coming to an end and to be honest once this war is over I shall step down and let my heir be King. Then all I will need from you is to keep me alive as long as you can my dear."

"Yes my lord." I answered but Uther continued.

"You shall be my personal nurse to take care of me until I can't make it anymore. Do you think you can handle that job?"

"Yes, my lord." I say with a small bow as I move away from Uther to let him and Morgan le Fay have some privacy.

Morgan le Fay was crying and happy for her step-father to be ok, I decided it would be ok to leave them alone long enough for me to go and get Alden from downstairs.

When we got back Morgan le Fay had just gotten to the part in the story, of what had happened since he got ill, where Blasine was being sent off to King Nentres of Garlot. I cringed as she told what happened while I was in prison and the escapades of Arthur.

Uther was upset but he listened without interrupting and Morgan le Fay told him everything about mine and hers friendship, Arthur, Balin coming and even about her being pregnant. This news caused Uther to reacted in shock and disapproval as well a to call me back into the room, followed by Alden.

"I see you went to get Alden, good I want to talk to him to. But first this is what we are going to do, Morgan le Fay is going to be under your care as well. She will give birth while Arthur is on the front lines and then she shall be sent to King Urien of Gorre. Your son, my dear," he said gesturing to Morgan le Fay "shall stay here with Arthur you husband will not appreciate you coming with child in your arms."

At this Morgan le Fay started bawling and i stiffened as I let him finish.

"When Arthur come back we must have a proper partner to play with if his desires are so rampant that he must resort to doing these acts with his sister. Now Alden this task I leave to you as well as helping Eleanor take care of me. I have already designated her a my nurse. So her position in the castle is safe. Have I missed anything?" Uther asked of Alden.

"No, my lord, you have covered everything. Arthur had been saying he was going to leave once you woke up but I don't think he thought you would wake up this soon." Alden answered.

"Yes, well I wish I hadn't had slept as long it seems my heir has made a mess of things but we will guide him in the right direction. He might not like it but he shall be sent off tomorrow at dawn." Uther said.

I kept my surprise and hurt inside as I thought if all the implications this implied. I was in trouble, I didn't want Merlin to go to the front line, even though I knew he had magic I was afraid of him getting hurt or worse losing his life.

Uther dismissed us and Morgan le Fay stayed behind for the protection that Uther would give her for a night free of Arthur and he promise of tomorrow being the first day without the threat of Arthur.

Me and Alden went downstairs. I was depressed and made dinner while I waited for Merlin to come back. My anxiety grew as I thought about the future and while I made some brisket and veggies without any enthusiasm for the task. I began to feel alone again, in this new world that was very different than my own and now one of the two people in this world that I trust whole heartedly is going to be in danger and far away from me. Tears were dripping out of my eyes when Merlin finally came back a few hours later than usual.

"So you have heard?" Merlin said as he came through the door and saw mine and Alden's face.

I nodded and moved next to him rejoicing in the feel of his arms around me. "Uther woke up and Morgan le Fay told him everything. She will be sent away after the birth of the child and Alden is to help Uther find Arthur a suitable replacement for her." I said.

"I see, that must be why the plans to go to the front lines had been accelerated." Merlin said and I hurried myself into his shoulder.

Alden nodded and said "Things have gotten problematic indeed. I have already eaten I think you should console her." With that Alden walked into the shared bedroom that would be his again with Merlin gone.

"I don't want you to go." I whispered when I heard Alden sit on his bed in the other room.

Merlins grip tightened, "I will be fine. I promise that I will come back here. I've talked to my teacher and he knows if a spell to send you back to your own time. So all you have to do is wait for me to come back. Ok?"

At his words of comfort all I could do is cry harder. Merlin must have been dense, I wanted to go home but right now I wasn't sure if I could leave knowing that I would never see him again.

We ate in silence side by side and Merlin came into my room and slept next to me for the night. Merlin held me while I cried through out the night. Morning came to quickly for me and before I knew it I was watching Merkin saddle up Arthur and Balin as they headed off into the sun and to battle. I resisted the urge to give him one last hug as they rode off.

Even once they were gone I watched from the covered hallway as long as I could see the caravan of horses off in the distance. I watched until I couldn't see any horse or footman in the distant wild lands.

I sighed as I walked away from the scene before me and headed to King Uther's room to take care of Uther and Morgan le Fay, and to begin the waiting and praying for Merlin to return safely.