The Dragon's Banner (32 page)

"Igraine." Uther's voice was gentle,
soothing. "Comfort the child. For we shall have all the time we
have been denied. I am here for you, and never again shall we be
parted."

"Leodegrance, you old dog!" Uther was
jubilant. "Far too long has it been, my friend. Far too long." He
wore a cheerful grin as he walked across the room and embraced his
friend.

"Did you think I would let the birth of my
best friend's first son go unheralded? Indeed, I am here bearing
gifts, for soon all of Britannia will be sending treasures, and I
would be the first. My heartfelt congratulations to you. Long you
waited for your Igraine, my friend, and greatly have you both paid
in pain and anguish. Now that she is your queen, and your son
sleeps in his royal nursery, tell me, are you truly happy?"

Uther smiled broadly. "Yes, my friend, I am
happy now, for Igraine and my son are most important to me of all
things. And friends, like you, Leo. I feared that I had lost your
friendship over that whole Gorlois affair. Indeed, I feared we had
lost you entirely to that dreadful wound."

Leodegrance frowned slightly. "I still
disapprove of your actions, Uther. I will not lie and tell you
otherwise. But I, more than anyone, know how long you hurt and how
desperately you ached for Igraine. Gods, it was all you could speak
about even years ago, when we traveled to Italia. Truly, what
happened to the two of you was a tragedy. And, certainly, Gorlois
was a pig and no great loss to the world." Leodegrance paused
briefly, and his frown gave way to a look of sadness. "But still,
it was a black deed."

"Indeed." Uther looked sadly at his friend.
"And now they call me wife-stealer and worse. After the victory
over Vortigern they spoke of me with reverence and respect. Now
they mock me and call me names they think do not reach my ears, and
plots fester in every dark corner. Merlin warned me thus, yet still
would I do what I have done."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Finally,
Leodegrance spoke. "Has there been any word of Merlin?"

Uther looked down at the ground, his mood
somber. "I have heard naught from Merlin since the day Tintagel
Castle fell. It can only have been he who healed your hurt, my
friend, for your wound was mortal. I had the field of battle
searched and searched again, for fear that he had gotten caught in
the fighting and had fallen. But all for naught. He has just
vanished."

Leodegrance frowned for a moment, then smiled
and clapped his hand on Uther's back. "Enough of such talk, for
this is a happy occasion and I have gifts to give. For you, my
friend, I have brought apples. The apples from Cameliard's first
harvest are the best in Britannia, and I recall a certain prince of
Powys who was quite fond of them at one time."

Uther laughed heartily. "Yes, my friend, I am
still quite fond of apples, particularly the early ones when they
still have their snap. An apple should bite back. You have my
thanks."

Leodegrance smiled. "For Igraine I have
brought many gifts, for she is far prettier than you, Uther."

They both laughed again, and Uther filled two
goblets from a large flagon, handing one to Leodegrance. Uther
raised his cup. "To old friends." He paused, then continued
somberly. "And to fallen brothers."

"To old friends and fallen brothers."
Leodegrance drank deeply, then placed the empty goblet on the
table. "For your son, I have brought but a single gift. Though I
know others will bring wagons of treasure, I resolved to give
something of greater meaning. Long has this been in my family, and
it is said to have brought divine protection to any who have worn
it. Many challenges will your son face, my dearest friend, and I
would that he wore this amulet. May it protect him and give him
strength through all his trials." He held up a small talisman of
finely worked silver. It was excellent work, and ancient, but on
it, newly inscribed, was the name, Arthur.

Uther was touched, for he recognized the
amulet; Leodegrance's father had worn it every time he went into
battle. "I am without words, Leo. This is a treasure of your house.
'Tis a greater gift than a wagon filled with gold and jewels."
Uther warmly embraced his friend. "Let us go inside, for we have
much to discuss."

"Indeed, Uther." Leodegrance was suddenly
very serious. "There is unrest among the kings. They fear that what
happened to Gorlois could happen to them. They whisper about
Igraine and say she bewitched you and you slew Gorlois to steal his
wife. There are plots against you, and I fear there is great
danger."

Uther looked at his friend and smiled weakly.
"Indeed, my friend. I know much of this. Alas, for I would have
Merlin's counsel now." He put his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"But we shall talk of such later. For now, let me be the gracious
host to an old friend. Let us talk of Italia and our times on the
road."

Uther sat alone in the great hall. It was
very late, and he was troubled and deep in thought. The fire had
almost burned down to the remnants of one last log. A cup of ale
sat forgotten on the table next to the remains of two apples - the
last of the batch Leodegrance had brought.

The king of Cameliard had stayed for a week,
and the two of them had talked of many things. Uther was happy that
they had renewed their friendship, for they had seen little of each
other these past few years, and there had been tension between
them. But Leodegrance had also confirmed what Uther already knew
but did not want to believe. There was worse than dissension in the
land; there were already plots against him. He knew not who was
involved, nor did Leodegrance, for he was known to be one of
Uther's closest friends, and he would not be included in any
treasonous cabals.

Uther considered what to do. Should he take
the field? Against whom? He knew not who was friend and who was
foe. God, Uther thought, I am tired in body and soul. Indeed, he
feared not for himself, for such was not in his makeup. But Igraine
and Arthur...and Anna - for so many years he had known nothing of
his daughter - they must be safe.

Uther stared into the fire, not noticing the
shadowy figure walking silently into the hall. "I see you still sit
up late in this room, my friend. Many have been the nights that you
and I have held this vigil together."

Uther leapt to his feet with such force his
chair fell over, clattering loudly on the stone floor. "Merlin!" He
rushed across the room and embraced his old friend and counselor.
"Gods, Merlin, it is good to see you. Where have you been, my old
friend? I feared for your fate."

"As I have feared for yours, and indeed still
do." Merlin's voice was odd. There was happiness at seeing Uther
after so long a time, but also sadness and loss. "I have been where
I have had to be, my friend. I am old, and I grow weak. My power
wanes."

Uther motioned for Merlin to sit as he
reached over and set his own chair right. "I would have your
counsel now, my old friend. And your forgiveness as well."

Merlin sat and put out his hands to the
warmth of the fading embers. "There is naught for me to forgive,
Uther. I am now and always have been your friend. Your actions were
unwise, yet I understand the pain and need that drove them. You are
a man, Uther, yet I fear we all wanted you to be a mountain made of
stone. What we craved was too much for any man, even the great
Uther Pendragon."

The old man - for the first time, Uther
thought, Merlin looked truly old - dragged his chair closer to the
dying fire. Uther could see the weariness in his friend, like his
own, but with the weight of lifetimes pressing upon it. "And your
counsel, Merlin? Will you help me, as you did of old?"

Merlin looked at Uther and managed an anemic
smile. "What I have to give is yours, good friend. But I fear this
time I know not how to heal what has been damaged." The smile
drained from his face, replaced by a look of grave sadness and
pain. "It may be, Uther, that it will fall to your son to rule a
united Britannia."

Merlin's words hit Uther like a thunderclap,
for the counselor had stated what none other would dare say to the
king. He was silent for a moment, shocked. When he finally spoke
his voice was soft and sad. "Has it come to that, Merlin? Is there
no hope for me to restore the peace and stability of the land?"

"I know not, Uther. The kings feared you
before, but they believed you just, and so they respected the high
kingship and obeyed you. Now they only fear you, and fear turns
easily to hate. Indeed, perhaps it has already so turned." Merlin
paused, trying to decide if he should finish what he was going to
say.

Finally, he continued. "Uther, it is possible
you could crush all of the kings of Britannia, for you are the
greatest warrior this land has seen, and in addition to your men of
Powys, Leodegrance, at least, is loyal. Indeed, I believe that
Urien would follow you, also. But such a course will bathe this
land in blood such as we have never seen. For the enemy is less
open now, and you will have to root out disloyalty wherever it has
taken hold. Many who are innocent will die with the guilty. Famine
and pestilence will ravage the land until the dead outnumber the
living. Farms will burn and castles will fall. Are you ready to
take such a road? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to crush
any who oppose you and rule as a tyrant?"

Uther sat quietly, looking down as he rubbed
his calloused hands slowly together. Finally he spoke. "No. I will
not go down that road. I have lost the stomach for so much blood
and suffering. I will not be a tyrant, hated by subjects who live
their lives in fear and loathing." He looked at Merlin, his steely
gray eyes dull and lifeless. "I would meet God with at least part
of my soul still mine. I fear that those thousands I have sent to
His judgment before me do not speak well of my virtues. Perhaps,
however, I may yet avoid the fires of hell."

Merlin's heart ached for his friend. No man
had bled more or struggled harder than Uther Pendragon. "You are a
good man, my friend. Though my relationship with your God is
uncertain, I feel your reckoning will be less grievous than you
fear. You have sometimes erred, as all men do, but your heart is
true."

The two sat long together, neither speaking,
until finally the last embers had faded to gray ash and the first
rays of dawn peaked through the great clerestory windows. Finally,
Uther put his hand on Merlin's arm. "My old friend, I must ask
something of you." Uther paused, trying to find the words he wished
to say. "I have never allowed fear to govern me, Merlin, and I
shall not begin now. Nor shall I allow it to compel me to actions I
do not wish to take. If I attempt to uncover conspiracies, it will
only further inflame the kings, for my actions would need be heavy
handed were I to succeed. Indeed, men do not easily confess to
treason. I will enhance the defenses and preparedness of Caer
Guricon, but that is all. If that is not enough, then so be it."
Uther rose slowly, stiffly. "I am fatigued, my friend, and though I
do not think sleep will come, I will try nonetheless."

Merlin paused, but still Uther did not ask
anything. "Goodnight, Uther, I will do all that I can to aid
you."

Uther stopped at the oaken door that led to
the main stair. He turned and looked at his companion. "Merlin,
this is what I ask of you. Promise, should some doom befall me,
that you will keep my family safe. I will meet whatever fate God
has designed for me, but I would know that Igraine and Arthur and
the girls come to no harm. In the last resort, Leodegrance will
always offer them sanctuary. And guide Arthur when he is old enough
to seek his birthright. Help him as you have always helped me.
Promise me you will see to it."

Uther spoke as a man already condemned, and
though it saddened Merlin to see him thus, he knew that this was as
things must be. Were Uther to try to assert himself by force of
might, it is possible he would prevail, yet this success would be
fleeting. Merlin wished he could come to any other conclusion, but
he knew the truth - that Uther could not now hold Britannia
together, not in any lasting way. He was like to pay a great price
for a fleeting few years with the woman he loved. "Of course,
Uther, I shall protect them all with my life. Though let us not
speak as if you are already gone."

Uther smiled warmly. "Thank you, Merlin. It
puts my mind at ease to know you will be here for them should I
fall. Goodnight, my friend."

Merlin felt pangs of guilt. For many years he
had manipulated lords and kings, striving to heal the land. But
Uther was special to him. He was tired in every fiber of his being,
worn from lifetimes of manipulation. He longed to help Uther, but
he knew to do so would likely condemn the young child, Arthur. It
is in him our hopes for the future now lie, he thought as he walked
silently from the great hall.

In the weeks following Merlin's return there
were two assassination attempts. Both were thwarted by Kelven and
Eldol, who had tasked themselves to keep the king safe. Indeed, the
two were tireless, and at any time of the day or night, at least
one of them could be found walking the halls of Caer Guricon,
watchfully protecting the king.

They both bade Uther to call in the levy and
march to face his enemies, but the king would take no action. King
Pellinore was rumored to be involved in the plots, as was King Lot.
A messenger had arrived from Urien with assurances of loyalty,
seeking permission to take the field against Lot. The ambassador
had been sent home with Uther's gratitude, but without leave to
initiate hostilities.

Kelven and Eldol begged Uther to take action,
but the king would do nothing except place more guards on his
family. Always now, there were 100 men on duty at Caer Guricon, and
Uther's tireless captains did all they could to protect their
sovereign.