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King Uther leaned on his saddle and looked to
the one place he was not to step in. he rode there every season to check on the
castle there.
“My King, Tintagel stand well.” The mason
assigned to maintaining the upkeep said to the King. “The Lady is fine. She has
given birth but I am unsure of the condition of the child.”
“Unsure?”
“Yes, my King. The servants won’t say on the
birth. They are scared of her.” The mason looked to the King for any sign of
annoyance.
“What is the news on the barbarians here?”
Uther asked. He was still involved in the war with the barbarians. The retreat
of the Romans had given concessions to the local Kings and Lords to occupy.
“They have not been seen yet. We have a
detachment at Dimilioc. They can …”
“Too far. Tintagel is by the coast. If the
barbarians land there, they can raid the castle and leave even before those
guards can reached.” King Uther was disappointed.
“I will inform the local commander of this.
Where should they go to then?” It was an awkward question by the mason, and
that irk the King. Uther ignored the remark and rode off.
At that moment, Lady Igraine was lying on the
bedding with her face averted from the young baby she had given birth. Her
servant was in attendance to bathe the baby.
“Shall I leave him next to you, my Lady?”
“No, leave him in the crib.” Lady Igraine
refused to hold the baby. She knew from the servant that it was a boy but she was unsure of the father of the
baby. The servant left the chamber, and another voice spoke to her.
“You called for me, my Lady?” It was Merlin. He
appeared from the dark corner in the simple knee length tunic and sandals with
the satchel bag over his shoulder.
“Were you …”
“No, my Lady. I had just arrived. I did not
intrude on your modesty here.” Merlin approached the crib. “I’'s a …”
“Stop! I don’t want to know. Give it away. It’s
not my child.” Lady Igraine cried out in tears. “It’s a demon child.”
“I will give him away to a … family that…”
Merlin said but was cut off by the lady.
“Do it. Don’t tell me who. I don’t have this
….demon.”
Merlin leaned to pick up the baby, and then as
he was to walk away, Lady Igraine voiced out.
“Druid, please…. Arrange for my girl, Elaine.
Send her to a good family and watched her grow well.” Lady Igraine pleaded.
“Please do it for me.”
“My lady, there may not be …”
“Do it, druid. I am at the end of my …misery. I
want to end it all.” Lady Igraine expressed her desire.
“What of Uther? He comes every season but…”
Merlin was trying to patch things up.
“He stayed at the hill and watched. He won’t
ride in and even leave a word to my ears. I shall not forgive him.” Lady
Igraine turned to glare at Merlin. “He is your demon now.”
When she saw the baby cradled by the druid, her
tears flowed down. She wanted to reach out for the baby but resisted.
“Take them all away.” Lady Igraine turned her
back.
“Lady Igraine, you must understand Uther’s …”
“I may or may not. Till then, I am not yet. Let
it be, druid. You are not his guardian.” Lady Igraine sighed. “He destroyed my
love.”
Merlin did as was to be done.
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