Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

ARTHUR

Queen Tatiana's voice was barely a whisper as she apologized. I blinked rapidly, trying to make the disturbing vision disappear. The shining aura surrounding her had weakened. "I know it must have been hard for you to see that," she said, "but it was necessary."

I gritted my teeth and glared up at the queen. “Did my mother seduce King Uther?” The thought sent a rage through me. Maybe Mordred had a valid reason for hating me the way she did.

Tatiana shook her head vehemently, her golden hair swaying with the movement. "No, Arthur. Your mother did not seduce Uther. The truth is far more complex and tragic, I’m afraid."

She took a step back. The hooded figures around us seemed to lean in, their hidden faces turned towards their queen.

A strong hand landed on my shoulder, and I looked up to find Merlin there. I let out a long breath, just now remembering that I wasn’t alone in all of this. I had Merlin, and I had my knights. At least, I hoped I’d still have them after this. They were still gathered behind me, an impenetrable wall of muscle, magic, and loyalty.

"Morrigan was a sorceress of immense power, born of both fae and druid blood. She was my very best friend, and I loved her. She went to Camelot as a guest, sent by her father, the Archdruid of the Old Religion, to study under Gaius and hone her abilities. Uther had just returned from a long campaign that took him away for three years."

Tatiana's eyes took on a distant look, as if she were seeing the events unfold before her. "The moment they met, an ancient prophecy awakened, one that had been dormant for centuries. It spoke of a child born of magic and royal blood, destined to unite the realms and bring about an age of peace."

She sighed, a sound filled with sadness and regret. "The prophecy bound Morrigan and Uther together instantly, their fates intertwined like threads in a tapestry. It was a force beyond their control, a destiny written in the stars themselves."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Tatiana held up a hand, silencing me.

"I know you have questions, Arthur. And I promise, I will answer them all. But first, you must understand."

She waved her hand, and the air shimmered. Suddenly, we were no longer in the library, but in a lush garden, filled with flowers of every color imaginable. The scent of roses and lavender filled the air, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the towering trees.

In the middle of the garden stood Morrigan and Uther. Uther's hand rested on Morrigan's swollen belly, a look of pure wonder and love on his face.

"The prophecy may have brought them together," Tatiana said softly, "but it was love that kept them there. They were happy, for a time. Uther even planned to annul his marriage to Adriana and make Morrigan his queen. The first fae queen in all of Albion."

The scene shifted, and we were back in the castle. Morrigan was in a bedchamber, her face contorted in pain as she labored to bring me into the world. Uther paced outside the door, his face drawn up in worry.

I watched, transfixed, as the scene shifted once more. Morrigan lay in the bed, her face pale and slick with sweat, but filled with joy as she cradled a tiny bundle in her arms. Uther sat beside her, his eyes shining with tears as he gazed down at his newborn daughter.

"She's perfect," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "Our little faerie.”

Morrigan smiled, but there was a sadness in her eyes that I couldn't quite understand. She pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, her lips lingering as if she never wanted to let me go.

The vision dissolved, and we were back in the library. Tatiana's face was etched with sadness, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"What happened?" I demanded, my voice shaking, with grief or with anger; I had no idea. "Why did she leave me? Why did she give me up to humans? Why would she go through all of that just to leave me?"

As the questions poured from my lips, one of the hooded figures stepped forward. Slender hands reached up, grasping the edges of the deep purple hood and slowly lowered it to reveal a face I knew all too well.

I staggered back a half step, my heart leaping into my throat as Gaius's weathered features came into view. His kind eyes, usually filled with warmth and wisdom, now held a deep sadness and a hint of guilt.

"Gaius?" Merlin's voice rang out, echoing my disbelief. He shook his head, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Gaius bowed his head. "My dear boy," he murmured, his gaze shifting to me. "Arthur, I am so sorry. I never wanted you to find out this way."

I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. Gaius, here in Avalon, among the fae. It was almost too much to comprehend. "What are you doing here? What is going on?"

Gaius sighed, the weight of years seeming to settle on his shoulders. "I have always been here, Arthur. Not only am I Uther’s sorcerer, I’m a guardian of the Old Religion, brother of the Archdruid."

My mind reeled as I tried to process that. He was not only a sorcerer, but a guardian of the Old Religion, brother to the Archdruid—my grandfather. Which meant...

"You're my great uncle," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "All this time, you knew who I was, and you never told me?"

Gaius took a step forward, his hands outstretched in a pleading gesture. "Arthur, please understand. I couldn't tell you, not until the time was right. The prophecy had to unfold naturally, without interference."

I felt a surge of anger rise up, hot and sharp. "Naturally? You call being lied to my entire life natural? You let me believe I was an orphan, that I had no family in this world!"

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to show weakness. Not here, not now. Behind me, I detected the steady presence of my knights as they shifted on their feet.

Gaius's face crumpled, the lines around his eyes deepening. "I never wanted to hurt you, Arthur. But it was necessary. The prophecy spoke of a child born of magic and royal blood, destined to unite the realms, but it also warned that if the child was raised aware of their destiny, their heart could be corrupted by the allure of power."

"Your mother knew this. She knew that for you to fulfill your destiny, you had to grow up humble, unaware of your true birthright. It was the only way to ensure that your heart remained pure, untainted by the temptations of power."

My entire life, my entire identity, had been shaped by a damn prophecy I didn't even know existed. "And Uther? Did he know about this plan?"

Gaius shook his head. "No. Your father believed you had died shortly after childbirth, along with your mother. It was the only way to protect you both."

"Protect us from what?" I demanded, my voice rising. The knights shifted behind me, their weapons clinking softly, the sound almost comforting. Somehow, I knew they’d stand by my side.

"From Adriana," Tatiana said softly, her voice filled with a deep sadness. "She was consumed by jealousy and rage, driven mad by the knowledge that Uther's heart belonged to another. She turned to dark magic, determined to destroy Morrigan and the child."

Gaius nodded, his eyes distant, as if lost in memory. "On the night you were born, Adriana attacked. The castle was in chaos, and in the midst of it all, Morrigan made the ultimate sacrifice. She used the last of her strength to open a portal and send you away. You landed on the steps of a human family’s home, and they took you in.”

And it was because of that kindness that I ultimately doomed them to die.