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epic-summaries · 5 years

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Keep your wits about you. I've already lost two brothers,I don't want to lose another Arthur to Cador

My mind went straight to have a mother son one-shot. I may have played loose with what we know about Igraine’s family. But our sources do too, so I don’t feel bad making stuff up.

It had been sixteen years since Utherpendragon had her husband murder and had raped her. The years passed gruellingly at first. Days felt like months, months felt like years, years felt like decades. Yet, these last few months, days felt like hours, weeks felt like days and months felt like weeks. Time is a funny thing.

The moon hid behind a thin veil of clouds. Fires lit the camp. The smells of stews, mead, beer, roasted meats and maybe a little vomit perfumed the air. Cheering, singing and merriment resonated. There was a dark corner where Bishop Baldwin held a service and performed baptisms. Igraine didn’t want to think that some of them will die the next day.

Igraine hiked up her skirt and march to the main tent. The closer she got to the King’s tent, the more she could smell the moist air. She could hear an owl threatening a drunk soldier trying to take a piss under his tree.

“King Aurelius will lead us to victory.” Igraine turned to see King Pellinore sharpening his blade. His youngest Lamoark, who could not be more than six years old played with a wooden sword and the hound.

“Pelly, my dear, Aurelius died twenty years ago,” said Igraine.

“But he is reborn,” said Pellinore aiming his sword to the King’s tent.

Igraine had had this conversation with the Mad King Pellinore too many times to count. She didn’t feel like correcting him. She gave the King and his son a smile before leaving.

She made it to her destination, the King’s tent. The two guards let her in without question. The King would need better guards, Igraine thought until she felt something watching her. Under the moonlight, Merlin glowed while slowly stirring a cauldron with only God knows what cooking in it. His misty green eyes stared at her. She hated that creature and wished nothing but malicious for him. However, she was stuck. The King trusted him with more than just his life, but the life of his kingdom. Merlin was not going anywhere.

The King was hunched over a table full of maps and books. You’d been easily forgiven if you didn’t know that there was a table under the mess. His handsome young friend with light brown skin joined the King. They talked about Julius Caesar. The King’s foster brother stabbed some leather armour with his sword.

She looked at her son. She understood why Pellinore would mistake him for Aurelius reborn. Igrain had met King Aurelius Ambrosius once in her life. She was newly wedded to Gorlois and Aurelius was visiting King Merchion at Tintagel. Arthur could be ghost of Aurelius.

“My Queen,” said Bedwyr dropping a scroll on the dirt floor. His eyes went wide and hurried to grab them.

“My Queen,” said Kay. He stood up and bowed. “Don’t think me impolite,” That line was always followed by something impolite, “But what are you doing in the war camp? Women and children are safer in town.”

“How old are you?” asked Igraine.

“Seventeen.”

“Have you ever fought in a battle?”

Kay squinted his eyes like he was wondering where this conversation was going. “No.”

“You are still a child. Maybe you would prefer the village.” Bedwyr and the King chuckled.

Kay went red. “I am the slayer of the Cath Palug! I am a man and I could fight the whole army by myself.”

“Yes, you are and I will not lie, that was impressive. But you slayed THE Cath Palug, the as in one. A battle and slaying a monster are two different things. I am sure you will slay many of worthy enemies but an army of them? Don’t be too eager to fight. Many great slayers died in battle.”

“What do you know of battles and war?” said Kay, obviously trying and failing to hold his anger.

“You learn a lot watching from a high tower,” said Igraine.

Kay was going to say something else but the King stepped in. “Kay, Bed can you go get me some stew. I’m a little hungry.”

“Why don’t you get it your…” Kay started. Bedwyr threw his hand on kay’s mouth.

“Yes, my King.” Igraine heard Bedwyr it Kay tell him that Arthur was the King and they had to do what he said. Kay was was going off that Arthur was still the baby to afraid to learn how to swim and cried to their father when he threw him in the lake.

“I’m sorry, My Qu… I mean…” It had been only a few months since Arthur pulled the sword from the stone. Already, he was leading his first battle. Igraine wished it was against Saxons and not the rebel Cador. He had so much to learn.

“He’s excited for his first battle. I’m sure he will do fine,” said Igraine. “He is strong and has the skills, he just needs to keep that confidence in check.”

Arthur looked at his plans and his maps again.

“After you were born and before you were taken from me, Uther gave me one priveledge and that was to name you.” Igraine moved the map Arthur was staring at. “Do you want to know why I named you Arthur?” Arthur looked up at her. His grey eyes were warm, unlike his father steel cold eyes. With one look a person knew Arthur was nothing like Uther. “I had a brother named Arthur. He died protecting me from Uther when he rap... You should not speak ill of the dead.”

“Kidnapped you from you rightful husband. I know the story. He was a monster.”

Igraine laughed. “He piggybacked on the love people had for his brother and ruled the kingdom using fear. When he died, the kingdom crumbled. Fear is not a strong uniting force because once it’s gone, it’s gone. My brother Arthur knew that and he fought against it.”

“And naming me a was a big fuck you to Uther.”

I giggled. “Yes. I don’t think he would have trusted me to name another child if we had any.” He laughed. “You’re nervous?”

Arthur nodded. “How could I not be. They want me to lead an army against Cador. Merlin told me I would win but…” He didn’t fully trust Merlin. That was good. “I’m fifteen.”

“It’s good to be nervous. I’m nervous for you too. Nothing is certain.”

“Tell me about Cador.”

Igraine sat beside her son. She put her hand on his shoulder. He gave her a nervous smile. He looked like he was fifteen. Gone was the ghost of Aurelius and he was her son asking her to make him feel better. “He’s an idiot for not waiting for the rest of his army. But he is a good general. He was the general who killed both my brothers.” Arthur’s shoulders tensed up. “But he has lost battles when he has been caught unaware.” Arthur kicked his feet under the table. “I rather you not go out. You were taken away and I don’t feel like we have enough time together. You aren’t even comfortable enough to call me mother.”

“Everything is so new to me.”

Igraine took her son’s head and told him, “Keep your wits about you. I've already lost two brothers, I don't want to lose another Arthur to Cador.” He chewed his lip. “You will win.”

#queen igraine #king arthur #arthuriana #sir kay

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