Lady Igraine

I headed out the back way of the castle, donning my purple cloak for warmth, and found Uther and Aurelius still battling it out. It must have been at least ten minutes I listened to Merlin go on, they both must have great stamina. They were fighting out in an empty arena bordered by wooden posts, similar to that of a farmer's barrier for his creatures. I sat my basket down and leaned against the fence, watching them fight at a fairly decent distant.

Simply by watching them you could tell they were brothers who loved one another. It reminded me of how young boys play with their wooden swords, innocent and fun. The two of them had a constanct smile on their face and poked fun at one another, just as they had before. They were both moving fairly slow, granted it's probably due to the continual fighting, and you could see the sweat jumping from their skin with each swing of their blade. They went on like this for probably five more minutes until Uther unarmed Aurelius and pointed his sword at him.

"You're getting older, brother, I would be more careful if I were you." Uther's grin just about reached from one ear to the other. Aurelius raised his hands up to his shoulders as if in defeat.

"You are quick to judge, but I have not quite waved the flag yet." Aurelius then performed a leg-sweep, casting Uther down at his back, causing him to lose his sword. Aurelius snatched the sword as it flew up and pointed it at Uther's chest. "Now, I believe I am the winner."

Uther sighed. "I'll beat you one day, you just wait." Uther took hold of Aurelius' outstretched hand and allowed his brother to help him up.

Then there was a sound of clapping and Uther's eyes grew large as a lady in a lovely blue dress walked towards the brothers. She smiled at the two, her lips a vibrant coral color and her hair falling down in brown ringlets. She was the essence of beauty.

"Lady, Igraine!" Uther called, and swiftly moved to her. "To what do we owe this pleasure?" Uther took her hand and kissed it, as many do with royalty.

"Please, Uther, you need not treat me so formally. I am here to announce my husband's death. Our kingdom has been desecrated." Her words sounded sad, but the way she looked at Uther almost seemed like happiness. Strange how humans can feel so many emotions at once.

"King Gorlois was no great friend of ours, this is widely known." Aurelius said, eyeing Igraine oddly. "I see not why you feel need to bring us such news."

"I mean not to be rude, sire, but I did not bring such news for your benefit." She gazed upon Uther. "I thought Uther may find it... joyous in some way."

Uther took hold of Igraine's hands. "Oh, you know I do." He smiled greatly. "Come, you must be tired from your journey, you can rest inside."

Igraine nodded and then they were gone. Aurelius walked a bit behind them, stopping a short distance from me, an odd expression on his face.

"Aurelius," I began, "What was all of that about?"

Aurelius' eyebrows were furrowed. "I thought nothing of it before... until now. Gorlois use to be a good friend of ours, but through circumstances became very distrusted. Uther use to spend a lot of time in their kingdom, I never thought Igraine would have been the reason. No doubt she is beautiful, but she was married. I suppose that did not stop them from falling in love. I believe with Gorlois now dead Igraine feels she can finally be with Uther." He looked over at me and his expression softened. "Why, miss Fia, are you out an errands?"

I gasped. "I almost forgot! Merlin will be wondering where I am." I stood up straight and grabbed my basket off of the ground. "You are a very talented fighter, Aurelius. I enjoyed watching you and your brother." I mentioned, wanting to leave him with some kind words.

Aurelius leaned forward on the fence. "I did not know I had an audience, I may have made it more enjoyable." He showed off his half-smile.

"How is your shoulder faring?" I asked. "You didn't hurt it did you?"

"It's better than ever." He said, standing up straight and rotating his shoulder. "I should come to you more often."

I looked at him for a moment.

"I mean, for medicinal purposes..." He scratched his head and cleared his throat. "What are you supposed to be doing, exactly?"

"Oh, right! I have to go gather some herbs and things, I should not be bothering you." I turned and began walking off.

"Well, if any wolves appear just call!" he yelled as I walked away. I turned to see him smirking a little.

Wolves. I laugh in the face of wolves! Ha!