Lee Edgar - King Arthur 03 by The Return Of King Arthur's Brood

Author:The Return Of King Arthur's Brood [Brood, The Return Of King Arthur's]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-06-03T21:31:34+00:00

“Sainte Ædra of Iarum,” they had called her. Now it was all to end, one way or the other.

A movement beside her made her look round and she saw him. Looking very much older than when she had seen him last, Merlin had come to claim his share of the bargain.

‘You did not come alone,’ he said simply, indicating her little thatched cottage.

‘They will not interfere, Merlin,’ she promised. ‘They will not harm you if you do not harm them.’

‘How can I trust you?’

‘I came, didn’t I? I could have run away to Gaul. I could have killed myself. Instead, I came to meet you, as arranged.’

‘You did well.’

‘How do you feel?’

‘What do you care about how I feel?’

‘I am concerned for everyone, Merlin. Even you.’

‘Why?’

She shrugged. ‘It is how I am. My father was no different, you should know that.’

‘Your father the King was too trusting for his own good. He trusted Mordred, against my advice, and look where that got him.’

‘And his half-sister, Morgana?’

‘Don’t talk about that witch. It is because of her that I am so angry.’

‘But my father did not like her. He had her banished to Dumnovia, didn’t he?’

‘Too late, he did. She had already done the damage by then.’

‘I can put that right,’ Ædra offered kindly.

‘You? It was you who shot the arrow which has caused me so much pain of late.’ He looked straight at her. ‘For that you must die.’

‘That was not our agreement. Our agreement was that I should meet you here and that you would not harm my friends in the meantime.’ She pointed at him. ‘You lied, not me.’

‘How did I lie?’

‘You did not tell me what you had done to the people of my town, you failed to mention the pregnancy of Lady Gwyndora, my loyal Maid of Honour.’

‘Ah, yes. The virgin from Yorwick. Has she borne my child yet?’

‘She is dead, Merlin. You killed her.’

‘I? How?’

‘She could not bear the thought of giving birth to your child, so she killed herself.’

‘Who told her that it was my child?’

‘I did. It could only have been you. There is no-one else that perverted.’

‘And now it is your turn. You will bear my child.’

‘No!’

‘You promised.’

‘I promised, in my moment of weakness, to let you give me a child. I now realise that I could never let any such child be born.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I will kill myself as Gwyndora did.’

Merlin was astonished. ‘You would do that?’

‘To avoid giving birth to a child who could undo all I have accomplished? Yes, I would.’

‘Then I must kill you myself and all your friends that you care for so much.’

‘There is an alternative,’ Ædra offered quickly.

‘Alternative?’ he asked suspiciously.

‘I could cure you.’

‘Cure me? How?’

‘I would remove the arrow head that is causing the rot inside you. I could bring you back to full health.’

‘Why would you want to do that?’

‘Because I have no wish to see anyone die, not even you.’

‘I don’t trust you.’

‘You don’t trust me?’ she retorted angrily. ‘Listen here, Merlin. I have done all that you asked of me.

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