Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

ARTHUR

The rustling of voices and thunderous footsteps jolted me awake. Lancelot was already in motion, hastily dressing himself. "What's happening?" I asked groggily, my voice hoarse as I stumbled out of bed and grabbed a robe from the nearby dresser.

Lancelot's entire body tensed as he peered out the window and scowled. "I'm not sure. Stay put while I go find out."

He was across the room and out the door before I could protest, the heavy oak door swinging shut behind him with a resounding thud. I dressed quickly, my fingers fumbling with the dress, used to trousers and tunics.

The door burst open a moment later and Merlin strode in, his eyes wild and his long hair disheveled. "Arthur, you need to come now. Something's happened."

"What is it?" I demanded, my heart lurching into my throat at the barely contained panic in his voice. "Merlin, what’s going on? Where’s Lance?"

He swallowed hard. "It's-it's Uther. He's dead, Arthur. Murdered in the temple two days ago. Messengers arrived this morning, and Queen Tatiana’s called a council."

I stared at Merlin, my mind reeling. His words were like a blow to the chest, and I staggered back. My father—dead. My second father to die suddenly. I shook my head, trying to process what this meant. The king was gone. And I was…the heir.

"How?" I managed to choke out, my voice sounding distant and hollow in my ears.

"Stabbed through the heart. The guards found him in a pool of his own blood, but no sign of the assassin. Several dead guards were found outside the temple as well, so there was no one to question." Merlin ran his hand through his hair. “Come on, we need to find Gaius.”

I looked down at my sheer dressing gown and frowned. Merlin noticed too and waved his hand over the length of me. Golden light flared, and in the blink of an eye, I was clean, my hair braided, wearing a pair of black riding pants, a dark green tunic, and a black jerkin that were far nicer than anything I ever owned before.

I raised a brow at Merin. “I’ve been bathing in rivers for the past week, and you could have been doing this all along?”

Merlin shrugged. “You never asked.”

As I brushed past him towards the door, I made sure to grab Excalibur from the bedside table and tucked it back into its sheath. I couldn't fathom leaving without it, even though I felt relatively secure within the confines of the Seelie palace.

I paused, glancing back over my shoulder at Merlin. “If you can conjure so easily, then why were we thieving on the streets for years?” I’d given it some thought lately, and it didn’t make any sense. Just another thing Merlin had been keeping to himself.

"I'm not really conjuring anything. The items I use already exist. I just move them from one place to another. Someone in this palace is suddenly missing their clothes." He motioned to my outfit. "I've used it many times. You just didn't realize how easily I acquired things."

My lips thinned with a frown, and I chose to just shake my head, accepting that for now. There were bigger worries at the moment, but I’d be bringing this up again, and I knew that he knew it.

The news of my father's death should have devastated me. Instead, I was consumed by a sense of bewilderment. After all, Uther had never been there for me. He may have played a role in my creation, but he certainly didn't fulfill the duties of a father. He made no effort to find me or even acknowledge my existence.

According to Queen Tatiana, he believed I died with Morrigan that night. But if that were true, wouldn't he have needed to dispose of our bodies or give us, at the very least, a proper burial? What excuse could he possibly give for not having his own child's remains? The more I thought about it, the less sense it made.

As we stepped into the corridor, my other knights were waiting, their faces grim and tense. Urgency replaced Galahad's usual carefree demeanor. He wrapped me in his thick arms and hugged me to his chest.

“I’m so sorry, little faerie,” he whispered into my hair. I sank into his arms, letting out a long breath of relief. Just smelling him, feeling him, had my spirit settling.

Gawain's jaw was clenched tight as he scanned the corridors. Tristan's silver gaze was distant, as per usual, and I wondered if he’d had another vision. Percival walked towards us, shadows trailing behind him, his eyes dark and brow furrowed. Galahad released me and we moved as a unit down the corridor, passing staff who moved out of our way and bowed.

We reached a set of double doors, and two towering fae guards stood at attention, their armor gleaming like liquid starlight. They bowed deeply as we approached and pushed the doors open for us. I heard several of my knights murmuring something to the guards in a familiar way, reminding me how well they knew these people.

I still could not get used to anyone treating me like I was royalty. Only two weeks ago I’d been a street rat, and now fae knights bowed when I entered a room. It was insane.

We walked into a room that paled in comparison to the magnificent library where we had met the queen the day before. Instead of towering bookshelves filled with magic orbs and a mossy floor, this room seemed more practical and utilitarian.

In the center of the space stood a large rectangular table made of sturdy oak. The ground was solid stone, as were the walls, with no embellishments or decorations in sight. Resting atop the table was a detailed map of Avalon.

Queen Tatiana was seated at the head of the table, surrounded by a group of fae men and women whom I presumed to be members of her council and advisors. Beside her sat a stunning woman with long black hair, piercing blue eyes, and porcelain skin. I wondered if she was the queen's consort or maybe her mate, as she held Tatiana's hand delicately in her own.

As we approached the table, I noticed Gaius was there, his weathered face etched with worry, his gray hair and beard disheveled as if he too had just woken up. Beside him sat three of those hooded druids.

Queen Tatiana gestured for us to take our seats, her eyes following me. "Arthur, let me be the first to say how deeply sorry I am for your loss. Please, join us. We have much to discuss."

Giving her a short nod, I sank into an empty chair, my knights flanking me protectively. Merlin took the seat to my right, his hand finding my thigh beneath the table and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

The map on the table glowed faintly, its intricate details shifting and changing as if alive. Tiny pinpricks of light marked various locations across Avalon, some pulsing with urgency while others remained steady and calm.

Gaius cleared his throat, his lined face grave as he leaned forward, his weathered hands resting on the table. "We believe we know who is responsible for Uther's death. It pains me to say it, but all signs point to Mordred Pendragon. Our sources have reported several witnesses in the village who claim to have seen a woman with blood red hair near the palace in the days before Uther’s death."

Merlin's hand tightened on my leg, his brow furrowing in confusion. "That's impossible," he protested. "We saw Mordred fly through the portal after us. She's here in Avalon."

Gaius shook his head. "It's not as easy as that. Mordred wields dark magic, and she has become an expert at shapeshifting, allowing her to cover more distance in a day than any human or fae."

I leaned back in my seat, pinching the bridge of my nose. "She was a flock of crows," I muttered, catching everyone's attention as I looked up. "I dreamt about her days ago, but who's to say she wasn't actually in Camelot at the time?"

Gaius nodded. "Now that Uther is dead, Mordred intends to drink from the Grail and gain immortality, then return to Camelot as the high queen."

"Arthur," Queen Tatiana said, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. I met her blue eyes and tried not to avert my gaze. "You and your knights must continue your quest immediately. We cannot allow Mordred to get her hands on Excalibur or the Holy Grail. She’s already too powerful."

I breathed in deeply, my mind racing. The future of my kingdom—and all of Albion—was on me. If Mordred took the throne for herself, then dark magic would come back to Camelot, and we would end up no better off than the Boneyard.

I looked at Queen Tatiana and noted the sadness in her eyes. I wondered how hard it had to be for this queen to have seen so much. To rely on some young, unknown queenling and have no control over the outcome of this prophecy.

I thought of my mother, Morrigan. What would she have done?

"We're leaving within the hour then," I said, glancing at Merlin next to me. He gave me a sharp nod. “I don’t suppose any of you know the way to the Wandering Wood?” I looked around the table, landing on Gaius in particular.

Gaius smiled then, a glimmer of hope in his lined face. "The Wandering Wood is said to reveal itself only to those who are worthy. Those whose intentions are pure and whose hearts are not corrupted by power.” His eyes flickered to Merlin, as if to say ‘As I said all along…’

We stood from the table as one, the decision made. Queen Tatiana rounded the table, striding over to me. I noticed she was not wearing a gown the way she had the day before. Today she was dressed in a simple tunic and trousers, although they were finely made and spun with gold thread.

"We’ll provide you with everything you need for your journey," she offered, her gaze sweeping over my knights and Merlin. Tatiana placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her touch both comforting and empowering. "I have the utmost faith in you, Arthur Pendragon. The blood of the fae flows through your veins. Morrigan’s blood. She would have been so proud of the woman you’ve become."

A lump formed in my throat as I nodded, holding back tears for a woman who was once just a stranger and would remain one.

"I hope she would be," I whispered to the queen. Then, flicking my eyes to the side, I made sure only she could hear me. "I have a gut feeling, Queen Tatiana. I think Mordred is biding her time, waiting for us to make our last move. She's been tracking us from the shadows, but we've only come face to face with her once. She would have struck already if she thought taking Excalibur now would help her. I believe she's using us to lead her to the Stone Temple because she can't find it on her own."

Tatiana's eyes narrowed as she listened. She gave a small nod, barely noticeable. "You're right to be suspicious. Mordred is sly and patient, just like her mother." Her voice dropped even lower. "Mordred can take on different forms. She could be anyone, but remember, the eyes always tell the truth."

I remembered the way those green eyes had flashed in the face of the old man in that clearing. The eyes my knights had recognized immediately.

The eyes always tell the truth.

The corridors were a flurry of activity as servants rushed to prepare for our departure. Stable hands readied our horses, packing saddlebags with provisions and supplies. I was more thankful than ever that we weren’t going to have to make the rest of the journey on foot.

In my chambers, I changed into sturdy traveling clothes: supple leather breeches, a soft linen tunic and jerkin, and a fur- lined cloak. I belted Excalibur at my waist, the ancient sword a comforting weight against my hip.

My knights and Merlin were already on their Elhorns when I arrived in the courtyard, the majestic creatures eager and pawing at the ground. Their sleek, shiny coats glimmered in the soft morning light, and their spiraled horns reached toward the sky.

Merlin looked every bit the powerful sorcerer in his deep purple cloak, matching the druids. My knights were watching me closely as I approached the Elhorn meant for me, my stomach churning with nerves. Everything felt so much more real now than it had back in Camelot.

Queen Tatiana stepped out of the palace, her long golden hair flowing around her like a halo. She held a small, ornate wooden box, her fingers tracing its smooth surface with care.

As I climbed onto my Elhorn, she came closer, a sad smile touching her lips. "Arthur," she said softly. "Before you leave, I have something for you."

She opened the box to reveal a delicate golden circlet resting on deep green velvet. The metal felt warm and buttery, inlaid with sparkling rubies that caught the light beautifully. It was a stunning piece, worthy of a queen.

"This belonged to your mother," Tatiana said, her eyes glistening with memories. “She wasn’t a queen, but she meant the world to me. I gave her this on her one hundred and seventh birthday.”

I blinked at the queen, my mind struggling to normalize the concept of living for so long. But I supposed that was my reality too, a reality I’d tried to ignore for most of my life.

With careful hands, I lifted the circlet from its cozy velvet cradle. The metal felt warm and smooth, and the rubies sparkled like tiny flames caught in the gentle morning light. A rush of emotion tightened my throat as I traced the intricate filigree, awed by the artistry and the rich history woven into its design.

"I feel strange accepting this," I whispered, my voice thick. "It’s too precious, too important."

Queen Tatiana shook her head, a soft smile lighting up her face. "Nonsense. Morrigan would have wanted you to have it. She dreamed of passing it on to her daughter. Wear it with pride, Arthur. She would have been so proud of you."

The weight of the circlet felt comforting, anchoring me to the moment. I could almost sense my mother’s spirit in the metal, her essence wrapped around me. Tears threatened to spill, but I blinked them away, determined to stay strong.

"I’ll treasure this always. Let's just hope I can live up to its expectations and that 'always' is a long way off..." I placed the circlet on my head, letting it settle on my brow. It fit perfectly. My stomach churned with nerves as I bit down on my lower lip.

Queen Tatiana nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, but she managed a conspiratorial smile. She stepped back, her gaze sweeping over our gathered party. The Elhorns shifted restlessly.

As we rode out of the Seelie palace gates, the early morning mist clung to the ground like a gauzy veil, swirling around the Elhorns' legs. The air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming wildflowers. I centered myself with a breath and pretended I knew what I was doing.