Arthur left Guinevere at the castle and ran to gather some allies.
He knocked on the old glass of one house. A young man emerged, still carring his dinner in hand. He saw the look on his best friend's face a knew immediately something was wrong.
"What is it?"
Arthur told Lancelot what had occurred and of his plans to rescue the men.
"Are you in brother?"
Without hesitation he answered.
"I'm in brother, how many be our company?"
"Just you and I, we go in and out. They will not expect us."
"You need not to convince me, but may I suggest one other?"
"Who?"
"Gwaine. I think, as you, he would want to rescue his father. He is a great fighter and he will take orders."
"I know, you get him, meet me in the castle's stables. Lady Guinevere awaits us with weapons."
"Guinevere?"
Lancelot started but then realized Arthur had turned the corner.
He hastened his dinner and ran to Gwaine's house.
When Arthur reached the stables he saw his mother and Guinevere. He knew that his mother would try to stop him. He increased his pace and went towards a horse.
"Please, do not ask me not to do this mother." He said not looking at his mother
"Please do not let me have to ask, Arthur." Igraine said her voice cracking.
Arthur still went on with his task.
"Am I to loose both my sons!" She screamed
Arthur became slightly weak, he cleared his throat.
"I would rather you lose none."
Lancelot and Gwaine arrived. They both looked to Arthur for instructions. As Arthur issued each man his duty and the possibilities for injuries, he insisted failure was not an option.
Guinevere looked on with awe and thought, this was not a boy this was a man.
".....if it is possible we will seek the cure for our king." Arthur continued he looked at Guinevere who was still in a daze.
Each man then went to gather weapons and his horse.
Gwaine was an expert bow man, he was taught by his father. He learnt other defense tactics from his training with Arthur. He was mostly quite his only ambition was to be a noble soldier as his father, sir Draire. Their relationship wasn't one of father/son but teacher/student but they both loved each other.
" ´Our king'..." Igraine started tears streaming down her cheeks. It had been the first time he has seen his mother cry. Arthur's heart broke but not even this could deter him.
"....You think this king is noble he is not!" Igraine's words were slow, bitter and lacking confidence but grabbed the attention of everyone.
"Mother?"
Igraine gathered herself and went down into the depths of her very soul. To release this secret, this burden she had carried for years and without doubt to take on new burdens.
"Your king whom you all love, so much....Arthur if you must die.....I rather it be for your brother and not for the king! The words escaped her mouth with spite and hurt.
The room became very silent.
"Mother?" were the only words Arthur could summon.
Igraine held on to one of the stable's post as a third leg, the other two were ready to give way. She stared only at her son and reminded herself he would have to be told at some point.
"On the night...when you were conceived, my husband sir Gorlois of Bodon went to battle."
Arthur's eyes widened at each word. What was she saying, was the life he knew a lie. Did this woman he has trusted never to lie to him, been doing so for the past eighteen years.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"I Knew his fight was against Camelot. At dusk men, soldiers came to our house they took Gorlois, he was only nine years old."
Igraine squeezed her eyes shut. The memory brought back the pain and humiliation she felt.
"They brought me to fuhtoms castle in Caerleon. I was bathed and given mixtures to consume,all against my will. I didn't know where they took your brother, I was so frightened for him." Igraine broke down
Igraine took several deep breaths to compose herself, never taking her eyes off Arthur; who found himself speechless, breathless and motionless.
"I was dressed and locked in one of the bedrooms. Then my husband came in, at least that's what I thought. I was so happy to see him that he had survived I.....I didn't refuse him."
Arthur stared at his mother quizzically, it was like a nightmare with unresolved endings. She took a few steps towards her son to close the thickening gap. She gently touched him on his shoulders, he was as stone.
"When I woke up, I realized I was under some spell. Urther had placed me under a spell that made me believe I was with my husband." She said his name with sure resentment that even Arthur trembled.
"No!" Guinevere gasped
Arthur shifted his gaze from his mother and stared at her as if she were a distant memory.
"Days after, when I found out where they took your brother, I escaped. I took him and ran away as far as I could get. I later found out I was with child."
Arthur stared at his mother he dared not ask her if her sayings were true, because he saw in her eyes that they were.
He looked around at his friends, avoiding Guinevere. He gently removed his mother's hand and pushed her aside.
"We ride now." He announced, his voice surprisingly stern.
He along with Lancelot and Gwaine mounted their horses.
He looked first at Guinevere then his mother.
"Repeat none of this to no one." He commanded and rode off his two allies behind him.
As he rode many questions rose within him.
"If she had left, why did she come back to Camelot, why work in castle......is it possible that his mother had hand in the kings demise.
