Specter of War --- Chapter Two

Two

Councilor’s Chamber, The Great Hall

Capital City, Novia Prime

United Republic of Planets

First Viceroy Parnell Star ran his hand through his graying black hair and took a deep breath as images of what was left of the Harcadia Colony flickered and died on the large vidscreen in the center of the Great Hall. A heavy silence fell upon the room and Parnell looked at the thousands of humans and Albeings that made up the Republic Council. He saw in them a mixture of fear and anger that mirrored his own. He knew that they would all be looking to him now, expecting him to provide answers that he did not have. He leaned back in his chair and for a brief moment he was reminded of the way the Great Hall looked when he was a boy. The triangular shaped building, with its large seats that seemed to climb to the sky, somehow seemed vaster and more intimidating in those days. Perhaps it was. There were more species and more planets then that were willing to do whatever it took to keep the Republic together and at peace. That was before the Great War. Now it seemed that every system, even those in the Interior, were only out for themselves. It didn’t anger Parnell; it only made him sad. Republic citizens no longer trusted their government to look out for their best interest. The Great War had left scars and every planet now held onto a deep fear that the Maraudan Empire was this great big, shadow monster that could strike again at any time. The raid on the Harcadian Colony meant the monster had returned. His thoughts were interrupted by yet another fight that had broken out between the Spigot and Camarala Counselors. He watched as the Spigot’s white skin turned crimson; while the Camarala’s yellowish skin was turning white. He didn’t need to hear their words to know what they were arguing about. No doubt they were regurgitating every minor incident that occurred during their races thousand yarnz blood feud. He would never understand how two species that started off as the same race could have such a deep hatred for each other, current physical differences aside. The two still had many genes in common, or so Parnell was told although the Spigots stayed pale, short and relatively slender, while the Camarala, to adapt to the giant forests they now called home, were dark, tall and stocky. The concept was a little hard for Parnell to grasp. Humans, unless they were mixed with some type of Albeing, were pretty much the same: brown skin, brown eyes, wavy or course hair. There just weren’t that many radical differences in his species. He thought about the dark gray eyes that were a Star family trait and how their enemies had unsuccessfully used their unique eye color for yarnz as “proof” that the Republic’s first family had Albeing blood. Would the galaxy ever be free of these ridiculous prejudices? Parnell grimaced as the Spigot Councilor, Fernan, started twitching hysterically.

“These horrors are a punishment from Yah,” said Fernan, his high-pitched voice taking on its customary prissy tone, “a warning of what happens when you turn your back on the gods. For yarnz we have moved away from the religion that once united our ancestors. And now look what has happened. Rava has risen up from the ashes to start his reign of terror once again.”

Warma, the Camarala let out a very loud, disgusted sigh. “Not this cripe again, tell me Spigot do you think that throwing ourselves at the mercy of your god will give us the power to beat back the Maraudans, yet again?

Fernan leaned in closer. “Yah commands all power in the universe.”

“Really?” smirked Warma. “Well, all the power in the universe didn’t help when the Maraudans took over your planet Spigot. In fact, if I recall correctly it wasn’t a divine hand, but the cold hand of technological, the weapons of science that saved your race from extinction.”

“That is exactly the kind of blasphemy that I expect from a Camarala,” said Fernan, practically foaming at the mouth and shaking even harder. “You are an abomination to our shared Sacred Ancestors.”

“And you…,” countered Warma, pointing his stocky finger at Fernan, “have spent too much time in Maraudan Space. Perhaps you and your ilk should return there where you belong. After all, they fight their wars in the name of your gods. Oh,” he continued, his wide mouth twisting into a cruel smile, “you can’t can you?”

Warma’s menacing smile sent a chill up Parnell’s spine.

“Everybody knows that the Queen is a notorious humanphile,” Warma continued. “She sees all Albeings as beneath her.”

Fernan shot Warma a pointed look. “In some cases they are.”

“Enough,” said Parnell sternly. He needed to bring this tedious fight to an end. This petty bickering was tearing the Republic apart. It was a bigger enemy to them than the Maraudans could ever be. Before he could speak again, he felt a calming hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Second Viceroy Shalimar Manoor staring back at him. His thin, yellow antennas were drooped down to the side of his yellow face and his green eyes were cloudier than usual. Shalimar spoke in his usual, regal tone and the two Counselors stopped fighting at once.

“We are here to discuss where we go from here, not to dredge up old clan rivalries,” Shalimar said. “Now if you two Councilors can enlighten us on why the Maraudans would attack their own people at the Harcadia colony the Council would love to hear it.”

The two Albeings shook their heads humbly, Warma mumbling what Parnell knew to be a Camarala curse.

“Perhaps they attacked them because they were their people, retribution for leaving the Empire.”

Parnell looked for the source of the outburst and was not at all surprised to see the confident face of young Major Van Dylan staring back at him, his brown eyes coolly fixated on him.

“Or maybe she did it as a test,” the boy continued as a bead of sweat fell from his cropped, black hair, “a chance for her to see the type of hold she still has on the populace and when things didn’t go as planned she destroyed it.”

Young Dylan’s statement created a quiet buzz in the hall that only quieted when Chief Medical Officer Veera Dylan moved to the center of the room. She and Parnell’s eyes locked briefly as she gave her report on the Harcadia massacre.

“Do you think there could be any survivors?” Parnell asked. He had directed his question to Veera, but it was her son that responded.

“Humans maybe,” said Van matter of factly, “but I doubt any of the Bargel made it out alive.”

“Except as potential slaves,” Veera interjected grimly. Her face remained impassive as she made the remark, but he didn’t need to see her disheveled appearance to know the suffering at Harcadia deeply troubled her.  As a medic in the last war, and now the head of Republic Medical, Parnell knew she understood the fate of those caught in the crossfire of war. He also knew she never got use to it.

“The truth is Harcadia has kept a very low profile since the war ended,” she continued. “We don’t have any statistics about the human colony let alone the Bargel tribe that lived there.”

He nodded at her words and understood the unspoken truth behind them. Harcadia wasn’t the only colony near The Edge that was vulnerable to attack. The Empire had the ability to strike out at a number of their outer colonies and they wouldn’t even know the extinct of the damage until it was too late. The implications were not lost on the Councilors as they began voicing their fears and anger all out at once. The Yalman Councilor finally spoke. The rapid clicks of the brown, hairless Albeing were hard to understand, even for the translators, but there was no mistaken her meaning and the truth behind her words. Once word got out about the colony attack it would throw the Republic into a panic they could not contain. It was not something Parnell wanted to see happen. They were having a hard time holding themselves together as it was.

“But we can not simply ignore this,” said Warma, daring to speak again.

“The Queen is young,” offered Fernan. “She might be testing us. The Maraudan Empire has been shrinking for yarnz, they are mired in rebellions, and she may just be playing some type of mind game with us to prove The Empire is still capable of such acts.”

“Then we need to send one back,” said Van suddenly, the tone of his voice demanding attention. “We all know what this latest attack by the Maraudans mean. Their new queen has been tightening her grip on her empire for yarnz and now she has set her sights on trying to steal ours. We must strike fast and hard. We must let them know that this time when they come after us things will be different.”

A loud burst of applauds and whoops echoed throughout the hall. Van looked very pleased with himself. Parnell turned his attentions back to Veera, her mouth fixed in an amused smile. Parnell was reminded once again how much like his father Van was. That hot temperament was a Dylan family trait and it seemed to him that at times Veera was amused to see that reckless spark in her son and daughter override their judgment. It was a feeling he didn’t share. When the cheers died down Parnell took the floor again.

“Would you like to continue the session Major Dylan? Or would this be a good time for me to interject my thoughts?”

“Sorry Viceroy,” said the young man sinking a little lower in his chair.

Parnell was pleased to see that he felt the sting of his words. “Despite what our young major may believe, we can not afford to make any rash moves,” continued Parnell. “This attack is obviously something we can not ignore, but we have to come up with the right response to this or we could make matters worse.”

A soft voiced responded. “I think we should wait and do nothing.”

The entire room went silent and turned its attention to the Danor Councilor. She seemed unphased by the attention, sitting calmly in her seat, her long, graying hair in a bun, her brown eyes calm and unclouded.

Parnell was the first to speak. “With all due respect Roma that is the one thing we can not afford to do.”

“You’re wrong First Viceroy,” Roma responded as calm as ever.  “It is the only thing we can afford to do. What is the alternative? War. I doubt that any human or any of the Albeings here want that.”

A low, angry rumbling was now making its way across the hall.

Roma would not be silent. “There is not a Councilor here who did not either experience the war first hand or suffer as a result of it. Most of us now have children of our own, children who now face the same horrors that we once did. Who will condemn them to that, you?” Roma said, pointing to Van. “What about you Parnell?”

Parnell shook his head violently in an attempt to deny her reasoning. “Are you talking about appeasement?” The word choked in his throat.

Roma’s expression hardened. “Yes, if it comes to that.”

The muffled sounds were quickly transforming into a low roar. Parnell bit his tongue to literally stop the angry words from coming out of his mouth. He understood that humans who had isolated themselves on Roma’s world were pacifist. Tartrus, he even admired her ability to stick to her beliefs after the horror she witnessed in the war. But there were times when her strong beliefs just seemed to hinder him from doing what needed to be done.

“Spoken like a true Danor,” said Warma, his voice spitting out the last word like a curse. “This is why our planet nearly perished in the last war... cowards like you.”

Roma didn’t blink as Warma continued his tirade.

“Tell me Councilor, how many lives were lost in the war because of your neutrality?”

“We are healers,” she answered calmly. “We save lives.”

Warma snorted, “As long as there is no risk to your own people.”

“And how many more lives will be lost in a new war?” Roma countered, her eyes betraying her deep convictions.

The room erupted. Once again it was Shalimar who finally silenced the Councilors.

“I think Councilor Kamus is right,” Shalimar said. “We all know what will happen if we find ourselves in a full-scale war again. We must try to avoid that any way we can.”

Many councilors started applauding, while others started screaming angrily. Parnell heard the large, green Bolo Councilor yell “that this was madness, that the Maraudans could not be reasoned with,” as the tiny, orange Sourvo Councilor shrieked “that the Republic was now too weak to protect them.”

Parnell tried to center himself. This was too important a decision to make on the spur of the moment. Everything inside of him screamed that even thinking about appeasement was wrong, but the other alternative would be war. And war was the last thing he wanted for his son.     

Merlin -- The Changeling

Arthur and Gwen's worst fears come true when Uther informs Arthur that he is to marry one of his oldest friend's daughter Princess Elena. Arthur balks at this, especially when he meets her and finds to his horror that she is a clumsy, oafish girl with an aversion to brushes and really bad table manners. Arthur isn't in the mood to sacrifice his own happiness for the good of the kingdom and is so distraught that he can't hide his preference for Gwen, something that's lost on a clueless Uther, but becomes glaringly obvious to Morgana.

Elena for her part is less than thrilled with marrying a prince she doesn't love, but that's the least of her problems. It seems that when Elena was a baby a fairy decided that her body was a great place to nest in and now that she is of age, the fairy wants control and poor Elena has no idea what's happening. Complicating matters is the fact that her nanny, Not Mary Poppins, is actually an agent for the dark side and is sticking close to Elena so that she can guide Fairy Elena when she marries Arthur and pops out their Fairy King.

While Arthur and Gwen try to be all noble about his upcoming nuptials, Merlin decides that he is going to put his detective hat on and see if he can dig up some dirt on Elena and Co. to stop  the impending nuptials. He hits pay dirt when he finds Not Mary Poppins, scheming with her fey brethren. He runs to Gauis for advice, but soon realizes that Gauis can be of use to him in another way when Not Mary Poppins makes a play for the Old Doc. Now Merlin and Gauis must find a way to work together to stop Arthur from making the biggest mistake of his life,while Arthur must decide if her really is the master of his own destiny.

I actually liked this episode.No, it isn't as heart wrenching as it could be, considering that Gwen and Arthur are being threatened with the prospect on losing each other forever, but I felt for everybody involved. I especially liked the scene when Gwen and Arthur are talking about the marriage and they are both fighting back tears. If this was a more adult show I have to wonder if Arthur would have married Elena. It would have pushed both Arthur and Gwen to their limits and it would have been interesting to see what being a part would have done to them, but Merlin is a kid show so we get this maritial threat over and done with and in a neat little bow at the end. This is one of the down sides to having so few episodes. Arcs that could really thrive from additional time, such as this one, and the whole Morgana is EVIL arc, have to be fast tracked.

Questions/Comments

Elena was very lovable and spunky and she would have made a great match for Arthur if he wasn't in love with someone else. Kudos to the writers for not turning her into a Mary Sue or a Betty Bitch and just allowing her to be a girl we can root for to find her own happiness? She'd make a great match for Lance...

Uther's desire for Arthur to marry a princess with an army makes sense, but it also shows the costs of all his ill advised campaigns and banishments. Camelot needs men and money. The reason Arthur can marry a servant girl is because he  makes himself an Uber King who doesn't need allies.

Don't you just love how being EVIL makes once oblivious people perceptive? Morgana actually managed to see past her own anger and her own agenda to notice that something was up with Arthur. Go figure.

I like that Gwen did not open up to Morgana about Arthur when she questioned her. It shows that Gwen understands their stations all too well. It also shows that Gwen is very perceptive, she may not know exactly what is going on with Morgana ,but her instincts tell her that something is up and she should stay quiet.

Why are the feys so hot for Arthur's DNA and does this have anything to do with Ygraine who in some legends have connections to the fey?

It was so great seeing Arthur FINALLY stand up to Uther and push back. Let's see how long this lasts.

I love Gwen in every incarnation, let me admit that now, but I want to see her get angry. I know that she is going to need all this stoicism when she is queen and I am glad that she cares enough about Arthur to put his destiny before her feelings, but geesh all this nobility is a bit thick at times. YOUR MAN IN MARRYING ANOTHER WOMAN! Cry, get angry, do something not so stiff upper lippy! I'm just saying.

While it was cute seeing Gwen and Arthur be all flirty at the end, their "I'm still single" convo did very little to change the status quo. Yes, it's obvious they want to be together and are thrilled to still have the chance, but all Arthur did was give them a chance to love another day, not make it their day to love.

Being Human

I actually watched this show on the SyFy Channel with no intentions of liking it, the premise just seemed stupid to me --- a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost, yes a ghost, share an apartment and despite two out of three of them being dead, try to live normal lives. So imagine my surprise when I not only LOVED it but caught the BBC version this week and LOVED IT TOO! 

Having two shows with the same characters is like visiting two parallel worlds and it's great fun. This is a dark world and the characters aren't exactly squeaky clean, but they care about each other and that is what humanizes them. I'm not a big fan of vampires, but I find myself fascinated by them in this world. I am also incredibly impressed with how death is the ever present fourth roommate, and one of our trio is either acting as its agent or fighting it off. The BBC seasons are short, we are talking 8 episodes, so I am curious how the American version is going to compensate for this story wise.  All I can say is watch BOTH versions of this great show, you'll be glad you did.

Guardians of Destiny: Specter of War

I have always loved Science Fiction and Fantasy and it has always been my dream to create a universe that people love immersing themselves in. Space Operas have always been my first love and Guardians of Destiny sort of pays homage to everything I love about the genre. I'm exciting about kicking of my own series with Specter of War --- Book One of the series. The book will be available next month, but I thought, I'd post a few chapters to get you familiar with the world, so enjoy and I hope you love my universe and the people who populate it as much as I do. And please feel free to comment. I'd love to know what you think.

One

“Worlds are birthed in coldness, but die in blood and fire.”

-Old Maraudan Proverb.

Harcadia Colony, The Edge

United Republic of Planets   

           

            The wind was carrying the ash from the burning Bargel colony from one corner of the dying planet to the next. Tara covered her mouth to try to keep the toxins out, but she couldn’t breathe and was having a hard time staying awake. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about the horrific sights of the past few days, of the deaths. Two days ago they came, unleashing themselves on their lands like an unstoppable plague. There was no time to try to figure out why it was happening, there was barely even time to understand just exactly what was happening, all they knew was that they were under attack by a force more powerful than they could ever imagine and that they were all going to die. She tried to tune out the loud shrieks of the human and Bargel colonists who were falling under their attackers’ relentless assault. She tried to raise her body off the ground, but her head was pounding, and her legs no longer seemed to work. Tiny red rocks were grinding into her brown legs as she slowly crawled forward, and for the first time, the deep red sand that sprawled across the Bargel’s half of the planet held no beauty for her. Her braids were sticking to her forehead, but she didn’t seem to have the energy to push them back. She noticed large blotches of blood on her legs and fought back a surge of panic. Was she hurt? Was the wound fatal? She traced the path of the blood. Yes, her legs were scared, but the wounds did not seem deep enough to create this type of bleeding. She looked at the blood on her fingers. Why was it blue?      Human blood was not blue. She rolled over and nearly screamed at the sight of the dead Bargel lying beside her. Its rough, hairless gray skin was soaked in its blood and its legs were clearly broken. A tear escaped her eyes as she realized what was happening. Unlike her and the other humans in the colony, the Bargel were being slaughtered without mercy. She knew though, that the colony had not fallen without a fight. The Bargel were known for their toughness and had been one of the last races of Albys to fall in the Unification War. The heat was starting to get to Tara as she continued to crawl. The orange sky seemed redder then it ever had, even as the usual afternoon rain shower began to fall. Tara knew at once that it was a sign that Yah was crying for her world.  She let out a disgusted laugh. When the attacks began, her people fled to this side of the planet in hopes that the savages they often mocked and isolated would be able to protect them, but Tara now knew that this part of the planet held no salvation for anyone. She was so tired, but she forced herself forward. She had to find a place to hide and some how wait out the attacks. She had only moved a few metrics when she heard a faint cry. It was an old, human woman. Her thick braids, more gray then black, were matted across her brown forehead. Tara crawled over to the woman. The old woman was bruised and battered, her clothes were torn and her face was full of terror. Tara wished she could do something, anything to ease the old woman’s suffering, but she knew all she could do was be there.

“Help me,” the old woman whispered, her terrified gaze intensifying with every word. Tara grabbed her hand, desperate to offer what little comfort she could. The old woman pleaded for help again, but this time the plea was not to her. Tara looked behind her, frozen in fear, as one of her planet's conquerors advanced towards her. She could see the soldiers now. Their gold chest plates were glistening in the sun and the bare legs that hung out of their navy blue pleated skirts were a dark brown and their hair…Tara let out a loud gasp. They were bald! They were humans. Maraudans. Her own people were trying to destroy her. The revelation shocked Tara. For some reason she expected these monsters to be Albys.

 “Help me,” pleaded the woman again.

              “I will,” promised Tara, squeezing her hand. “I’ll get help.”

               But before she could move, a dark figure approached. Tara could tell by her strides that she was a woman. The dark figure was wearing the same type of military gear that the soldiers wore, but you could see her long braids coming out of her gold, fitted helmet. She walked like she owned the air, the ground, and the universe. She was the most beautiful thing that Tara had ever seen.

             “It looks like we have another wounded animal,” said the Dark One.

            “Help me please,” begged the old woman, her voice cracking with every sentence. “My daughter… I need to get to my daughter.”

            “I don’t think you’ll have much luck finding your daughter in all this,” the Dark One sneered.

            The old woman began to shake.  “Please, Your Highness. Please have mercy on me. I have been loyal to my Maraudan heritage and to you. I fought with your father during the Great War. Please command this mighty army…tell them…they can find my daughter...help me.”

            The Dark One’s brown eyes hardened. “Alright I’ll help. I always want to help a loyal citizen of the Empire.”

 The Dark One moved to her side and produced a blast pistol. Tara couldn’t breathe.

             “I’ll help put you out of your misery,” she laughed, firing a ray from her blast pistol into the old woman’s chest.

             Tara did not have to look down at her to know that she was dead.

              “I just hate to see animals suffer don’t you?” she asked, turning to Tara. “A loyal citizen of the Empire would be in Maraudan space.”

             “She was just a poor injured woman,” said Tara, in a courageous tone she didn’t feel.        

             “She couldn’t have done anything to you.”

              “I didn’t say she could.”

               The Dark One’s smile chilled Tara’s very soul.

                 “I suppose you are going to kill me, too.”

                “Maybe.”

                Tara fought back her fear. She used all the strength inside of her to pull herself up. She was Tara from the House of Yaronn. If she was going to die she was going to meet her fate with dignity.

             “Why are you doing this?”

              It wasn’t a plea, just a simple question.

             The Dark One leaned over Tara and she could feel her breathe in her ear. “I did this to send a message Little One.”

             “What message is that?”

             The Dark One’s words were slow and deliberate. “That we are back.”

Tara opened her mouth to protest but she felt a burning sensation in her chest. She felt herself drop to her knees and looked up as the Dark One, her queen, walked away from her. She didn’t see the look of small regret that flickered on the young queen’s face, nor did she hear the cries of the wailing baby whose mother had been shot just two metrics away from her. By then, Tara was already gone.

Merlin - Crystal Cave

In this week's episode of Merlin, our favorite wizard learns that the road to Hades really is built on a stinky heap of good intentions...

The episode begins with Arthur, once again, being hurt and rendered unconscious in the forest and Merlin, once again, desperate to save him. Merlin is relieved when he comes across Taliesin, a mysterious figure who heals the dying prince.

Afterwards, Taliesin leads Merlin into the Crystal Cave, a magical crystal ball where Merlin sees the future and it ain’t pretty. In one corner there is Morgana killing Uther and in the other he sees Morgana being crowned Queen. Merlin decides that he must stop this because….actually I have no idea why Merlin cares if a man who would burn him in a heartbeat is murdered, really. He is constantly acting like the death of Uther would be some great tragedy when the truth is it’s the best thing that could happen to everybody, the people of Camelot especially, but anyway he decides that he must stop Morgana’s “evil” plans.

When certain incidents seem to confirm that what he saw in the cave was not a result of cave fumes and that Morgana really is planning on offing Uther, he actively tries to stop her, which leads to her being fatally injured. Merlin is racked with guilt, both over having to hurt Morgana and for the hurt her condition is causing his friends, and decides to cure her. Everyone is overjoyed when she awakens but they shouldn’t be. It seems that Morgana has overheard everything while she was in a coma and even though she isn't the least bit moved by their love and devotion, Uther’s bedside confession of being her biological father sends her into a murderous rage.

An irate Morgana tells Morguese who is thrilled, since now Morgana has a legitimate claim to Camelot's throne and cautions Morgana to tread lightly. Morgana pretends to take her sister's advice,but decides that she'll kill Uther now and sort out the throne business later while Merlin, much to  his horror, realizes that by trying to prevent the future, he actually set the events he saw in motion.

This was an incredibly sophisticated episode and I love the idea that you cannot change fate no matter how hard you try. This is especially poignant in a television series that is a prequel to one of the greatest tragedies in literature --- the fall of Arthur and Camelot. No matter how much we may love these characters and want their fates to be different, Camelot and Arthur are going down, Merlin will be defeated, and Morgana will play a huge role in that. This is about all the missed opportunities to stop that from happening, but ultimately, there is nothing Merlin can do differently to stop what is to come. Some people blame Merlin for not telling Morgana he too has magic and helping her with her gift, but Morgana has always been self-centered and unpredictable and he was right not to trust her with his greatest secret. Morgana hated Uther before she found out she was a witch, her powers just give her the means to do something about him.

I also liked Merlin’s moral dilemma. Merlin knows that Morgana is evil, but the fact that he feels sorry for what he has done, and the pain that it causes Gwen and Arthur, shows that he is a good guy and is a stark contrast to Morgana’s lack of conscious.

Questions/Comment
Uther has always had an irrational attachment to Morgana that is finally explained in this episode --- she’s his daughter. This is an interesting twist because it aligns Morgana with her mythological roots as Arthur’s half-sister --- although in the legend she is Ygraine’s elder child. I’m not sure if this familial relationship was always the plan --- Arthur and Morgana were clearly lusting after each other in season one before they grew out of it, and Gwen was sure something was going on that could lead to a future Queen Morgana, but even then their “sibling banter” was stronger than any romantic undercurrent so maybe the flirting was really much ado about nothing or a red herring.

I never bought Uther’s love for Ygraine, his guilt was just to strong and extreme to be solely about the way she died; to me he was clearly compensating in death for a love he could never bring himself to show her in life, but did he love Morgana’s mom? Is that why he is so crazy about her?

Was I the only one not the least bit moved by Uther’s theatrics over Morgana’s death? The only reason he is all over her this season is because she has been playing the dutiful daughter and her act appeases his guilt and assuages his ego. In the first season he was throwing her in dungeons, chocking her and threatening to kill her for her defiance of him.

Why didn’t Gauis know that Morgana was a Pendragon? I thought Uther told him everything. He certainly knew about Morgause.

What is Taliesin’s back story and is he related to Merlin in some way?

Uther asking Gauis to use magic to cure Morgana is interesting. One it shows that he is a hypocrite, and two how does he expect Gauis to get access to magic? I’m sure this is laying the groundwork for something that we’ll see unfolding in future seasons.

The Dragon’s motives are always suspect but he seems to speak truth when he says that everybody would be better of it Morgana dies. Merlin is constantly being shown as being stupid for not listening to the dragon’s advice, but why should he? Merlin has no reason to trust him. Is he really concerned for Arthur’s and Camelot’s future or does he have his own reasons for wanting Morgana dead? You’d think, given his hatred for Uther and Camelot, he’d be cheering Morgana on, after all, they share the same goals and are both magic, so why the hate?

I always thought in this version that Ygraine/ Gorlois/Uther/Vivienne were going to be given the traditional Arthur/Lancelot/Gwen story with Ygraine really being in love with Gorlois even though she was married to Uther, but now I’m not sure what’s going on. Maybe next series we’ll get a back story episode featuring Ygraine/Gorlois/Uther/Vivienne/Gauis when they were young so we can start connecting some dots.

Speaking of connections, how are Morgause and Morgana sisters? It was strongly suggested that they shared the same father, now that is clearly not the case. I always thought Morgause was Arthur’s half-sister way of Ygraine and Gorlois, which is why Uther wanted her dead, dead, dead, but if she is Gorlois daughter she’d have to be Vivienne’s as well for them to be related. Clarification on this would be nice.

I think Morgause is going to come to regret backing Morgana. She is a loose cannon and her desire for Uther’s blood after his revelation shows that she is more ruthless than Morgause is willing to admit to herself and if Morgana can turn on Arthur, the brother she was RAISED with ….

I love the fact that by trying to stop fate, Merlin only succeeds in making sure that his vision came to pass.

The vision of  Morgana being crowned Queen as Gwen watches teases at a very interesting interesting future for Camelot.

I loved Arthur and Gwen’s hug. These two characters very rarely put their guard down, especially Gwen, so the fact that they are comforting each other shows the depth of their anguish. It also shows that even though they have never been so far apart physically since they fell in love, their feelings have never been stronger.

Colin Morgan’s acting is really good; he really is the anchor of this show.

I really liked the scene of a devastated Arthur taking his frustrations out on a dummy. It was beautifully shot and directed and it shows that Arthur really loves Morgana and just because it’s not romantic doesn’t mean it isn’t strong and powerful. It is also going to make her betrayal hurt even more.

Why are Morgana and Merlin’s powers still so weak? I’m serious, a year in the forest with Sister Dearest should have been like dark magic boot camp for Morgana and it’s been a year for Merlin as well so he should have studied something, right? They should be using magic to kick each other’s butts left and right.

Was it wrong that I was kind of rooting for Morgana to die? Just so Arthur wouldn’t have her as a threat.

Merlin - Gawain

In the first season we were introduced to Arthur's future greatest knight and biggest threat, Lancelot the Poetic Saint, this season we meet Sir Gawain of the Luscious Hair.

Arthur and Merlin are out of town when they stop in to a local tavern for a drink. But apparently it's Sunday at the OK Corral and the not so friendly neighborhood extorters have come for their cut of the tavern's profits. Arthur decides to get involved and ends up in a bar fight that he only manages to survive courtesy of a mysterious young drunkard named Gawain.

Merlin and Arthur take their new friend back to Camelot and Gawain quickly gets to work drinking, wooing  and taking his shirt off whenever possible. Meanwhile Arthur is preparing for yet ANOTHER tournament, which means that a magical bad guy is lurking somewhere in the shadows waiting to use the melee as a way to off him. This episode baddies are the thugs from the bar fight who want revenge for their beat down and have managed to find a crystal that makes them magically delicious faux knights. It doesn't take Detective Merlin long to realize that something is rotten with the newest melee contestants and he enlists Gawain's help. Gawain, an undercover Noble, says no at first, he's one of the peeps now and would rather leave all that hero stuff to other guys, but he ends up helping anyway, but not before flirting with Gwen who doesn't mind the attention, much to Arthur's chagrin.

This was a really fun episode. It actually reminded me of watching an old  episode of Hercules The Legendary Journeys and seems to be the beginning of stories being told in the larger world of Albion. Let's face it, there is always something special about the introduction of a character from the legend, especially one as important as Gawain, and the actor playing him had to be a little bit better than the usual guest star of the week and Eoin Macken delivered. He fit right in with the cast and had chemistry with everyone. While we know  little about Gawain's past, I hope the fact he is a noble turns out to be significant. Usually Gawain is Arthur's nephew and Lancelot's BFF. I can't wait to see how Merlin re-imagines him, but I'd love for him to be Morguese's brother or maybe Arthur's cousin on Ygraine's side of the family. Hey, knowing Uther he could even be a long lost brother, although I still believe the never to be forgotten Mordred is Arthur and Morgana's little brother and that Uther has magic he is suppressing, but that theory is for another post.

 Also, these tournaments always seem to pit Arthur against some magical baddie with a grudge  so at least the show seems in on the joke and has decided to play this beat until the wheels fall off.

Questions/Comments
Loved getting to see Arthur interact with people who live outside of Camelot's walls. I wish we saw it more often. I'm also a sucker for a medieval bar fight.

As much as I love Lance, and I love me some Lance, he is super serious so Gawain is a nice change.
It was nice seeing a rogue interact with our usual serious boys and girls. As the anti-Lancelot, Gawain gets to flirt with Gwen, without the serious feelings that drag Lance into a depression: he gets to needle Arthur, sans the serious respect that underlines Lance's interaction with Arthur; and he gets to have a light hearted relationship with Merlin that is quite different from the Merlin and Lancelot Save the World dynamic that makes Merlin and Lance more like fellow superheroes than true buds.

It's always fun see Gwen's playful side and she and Gawain were totally adorable.

I loved Gawain and Merlin as instant BFFs but it reminded me that Merlin feels alienated from the two people closest to him --- Arthur and Gwen and doesn't feel like he can confide in them which is sad.

In the last season Arthur and Gwen were CLEARLY in love, Arthur even told Gwen that he'd never love another. So why are they acting like Gwen is the girl who sits behind Arthur in class that he doesn't have the nerve to ask out? If you take it in the context of this season's reset it makes sense but UGH.

As much as I hate Uther, and I hate Uther, I am glad that they don't sugar coat the fact that peasants had no rights. Gawain was obviously telling the truth but because Uther thought he was a commoner, he dismissed him. Jerk.

Loved that Gawain has no interest in serving Uther and called Uther out!

Way to stand up to Uther Arthur...oh wait but you didn't. Again!

Why do all the baddies have to be magic users? It makes Uther seem right about magic being EVIL. I know our hero is a wizard but this show tends to make Merlin using magic for good look like an aberration, not the norm.

And So I Waited --- Turn of the Di

Here is the next chapter of My Merlin Fic. Read the first couple of chapters here

I knock on her door and my breath catches in my throat when she opens it. She is so beautiful in her pink dress, her hair wild and full of flowers. I look inside and playfully raise an eyebrow.

“I can’t help but notice that you are alone.”

She smiles. “Actually, I am expecting a guest.”

I cross my arms. “Anyone I know?”

“Maybe.”

I lean closer. “I’m afraid I do not like the idea of you having a gentlemen caller, especially one who insists on being shrouded in mystery? I demand to know who he is so that we can come to an understanding.”

Her smile widened. “I promised him I would not reveal his name.”

“What does he look like?”

“He is old, very thin, and his hair almost all gone.”

“Sounds like a worldly man.”

“Very.”

“I suppose that he is good with a sword.”

“Yes, but I think you can take him.”

“I guess we will see when he arrives.”

“I don’t think he is coming.”

“No?”

“No.”

“And you made him dinner? That is not very gentlemen like.”

 “Well he is no gentlemen.”

“Since I am already here, maybe I can be his replacement.”

She looks me up and down. “I don’t see why not.”

She lets me in. She has decorated her table with flowers and I see two plates full of chicken.

“How can you afford this?”

“It is complements of The Lady Morgana,” she says taking my cloak. “She likes you.”

I nod, unsure of how to feel about how accommodating Morgana has been, but I put it out of my mind – for now.

“I am glad that she approves.”

I sit down and she puts a cup in front of me.

“It is really odd. You are all she can talk about lately and what a wonderful couple we would make. My Lady and I have always been close, but she is My Lady and we have never been too personal.”

Gwen was right, there was something about The Lady Morgana’s interest in them that he found unsettling.

 “And to say all the things she said about you in front of Arthur.”

I look up. “Why would it bother you that she is talking about me in front of Arthur?”

I wait with baited breath, wondering if her memories have begun to return.

“I just think it is inappropriate to talk about servant matters in front of the Prince, although…

“Although what?”

“I see a change in him. He is not the arrogant prat that I remember. There is softness and a caring. Do you know that he stood up for a peasant who could not pay his taxes and forced King Uther to back down? I was impressed and proud.

“Proud?”

“Yes,” she said sitting down across from me. “He is Milord.”

I picked up my fork. I was tiring of talking about Arthur.

“This food is delicious.”

“Thank you. I remembered from last time how much you loved my chicken, at least I can remember that. It is so good to see you. I can tell just by looking at you that the time away has been good for you.”

“In some ways it has been very good for me and in others….”

She put a piece of chicken in her mouth. “But you must have met people who you like.”

“Yes, I did.”  Elaine’s face flashed quickly before my eyes. “But no one who could ever make me forget about my time in Camelot.”

“Oh come on Lancelot, are you telling me that you have not met somebody?”

I laughed. Can she be this blind? “As a matter of fact I have.”

“Oh.”

Her disappointment was evident and it warmed me. It made me feel that she was finally letting her guard down.  I leaned forward. “You,” I said. “You are the one I met and the only one I ever want to meet.”

She blushed. “Lance.”

I put my hand on hers and she looks away. I squeeze her hand.

“Next time we will have deer.”

She laughed. “Deer?”

“Have you ever had it?”

“Not really. Once I did sneak a bit off of Morgana’s plate when I was in the kitchens.”

“And did you like it?”

She let out a sweet sigh. “It was heavenly.”

“Well that settles it. We will have deer. I will catch it myself.”

“And how many paces does it take for you to kill a deer?”

“I am not sure but I will make it a point to count so that I can tell you.”

She reached for my cheek and stopped, a puzzled look was now on her face.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know, it’s just, there is something very familiar about all this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. This dinner, this conversation, it feels like I’ve had it before. Have we?”

“No.”

She looks back at the chicken and throws her fork down in disgust. “Why can’t I remember?”

I take her hand again. “When the time is right you will remember. 

She squeezes my hand. I lean in for a kiss and I see the expectation in her eyes. She wants this moment, this intimacy, with me, as much as I do.  A loud noise from outside makes us both jump apart.

I see the swish of the blue cloak and I know exactly who are uninvited guest is. This will definitely come back to haunt them later.

“Do you see anyone?” she asks. I can hear the concern in her voice.

“No. No one is there.”

I close the door, aware that I had just told her another lie.

****

I knew he’d come.

It was not my plan for us to meet like this, in The Merry Hovel, in the middle of the night, but there are things in life that are inevitable and this confrontation is one of them and there is no perfect place for it.

He looks around, please to see that no one but me and Andella was there. Andella jumps up from the table and bows, grabbing her drink as she scurries away. He walks over to the table, towering over me. It was clear that he means to intimidate me. But I did not intimidate easily, not even when confronted by the great Prince Arthur Pendragon.”

“I am sure that you know why I am here.”

“Yes. I have been expecting you.”

“I went to check on Guinevere and I saw you in her home. You have been at her home every day this week.”

“Have you been spying on us milord?”

“Guinevere’s safety is my only concern.”

“As is it is mine.”

He folds his arms. “You and I both know that you are motivated not by Guinevere’s needs, but by your own.”

I stand up. “I am afraid that you have me confused with yourself.”

Arthur moves closer. “Guinevere has been through enough. She doesn’t need you making things harder.”

“It is not my intentions to make Gwen’s life harder. I came here to lift her burdens. She is the greatest of jewels to me and it is my only wish in life to love her the way she deserves and give her a life worthy of her.”

Arthur snorts and at that moment I know he hates me. “Save all this poetic dribble for Guinevere. You came here because you heard about what happened and you thought this was your chance to come between us, since she would not even look your way if she could remember what we had.”

“What you had?  What exactly did you have? Did you think that Gwen was happy to be your secret? Do you think she relished all the sneaking around and the lying? Gwen, who is so honorable and good? What you had has caused her to lose her mind.”

His face grew serious. “If you think that you’re going to steal Guinevere away from me then you are mistaken.”

There was no mistaking the threat in his tone.

“Gwen needs a man who she can depend on, someone who can make her happy and I’m sorry Arthur that is not you.”

 “I have faced down a lot of monsters, but I have never seen the likes of you, to take advantage of an innocent girl.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Me, take advantage of Guinevere? I am not the one who took her honor and left her to fend for herself. I am not the one who has endangered her very life for my own lust. But I am sure that it is a Prince’s privilege to exert your will on a maid, damn the consequences.”

Arthur’s face reddened.

“You have no idea what it means to be me, the pressures that I have. How do you think it feels to have so much power, to be able to command so many, yet have no control over my own life? I have fought and bled for everyone in this kingdom and I could not protect my own son! I have to watch as the woman I love scrubs floors and empties chamber pots!”

I rolled my eyes. “That is your choice Sire. You decided that you would deny your son; you left Gwen scrubbing The Lady Morgana’s floors. You refused to stand up to your father, refused to do what was right because you feared you would lose your place as Prince Arthur!”

I didn’t see the punch coming, nor did I expect for Arthur to start swinging his sword at me with such veracity. I managed to get my own sword out, clinking it with his as I moved to protect my chest. Arthur was fighting like a man possessed and I was having a hard time absorbing his blows, but I did get the better of him, finally, and I managed to get him on his back.

“Sire, enough,” I said, holding my sword to his chest. I did not want to hurt him. I just wanted him to stop hurting Gwen.

He looked at me, his expression full of disgust and jumped up, lunging for me. It took me off guard. I fell onto the ground and he had me pinned.

I heard a familiar cry from behind me.

“Arthur,” said Merlin, his voice getting closer. “What are you doing?”

“Stay out of this Merlin, this is not your concern.” He looked back at me. “I will not lose her. I have already lost too much.”

Arthur sword was at his neck and for a brief second I wondered if he was going to cut my throat.

“Arthur,” Merlin said again. “Gwen would not want this.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed and he moved his sword. “And Gwen does not want him.”

“I beg to differ,” I said, trying to sit up.

“Guinevere does not have her memories. She does not know what she is doing.”

“And what if she remembers?”

“Then it will be her choice.”

“And if she chooses me?”

Arthur looked at me and dropped his sword.  “She won’t.”

****

I wince as Andella places a rag on my bleeding lip.

“The Prince seems quite angry with you.”

“Indeed.”

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Gwen would it?”

I don’t answer, she laughs as she takes a swig of the ale on a nearby table.

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

“No.”

“I know that you are upset but it is not fit for a lady as pretty as you to carry on so.”

She laughs harder.

“Sir Lancelot, always the picture of nobility.” She took another swig. “I hope that Gwen knows how lucky she is that you love her.”

I got up and took the cup from her. “As is any man who wins your love.”

She turns away. “I hear that the Lady DeNobley is with child. Do you think it will be a boy? A heir for their budding dynasty?”

I put my hand on her shoulder.

“You will find the love you deserve.”

“ENOUGH!” she yells. “Take a look around here. I am a wench, a peasant whore and that is all I’ll ever be! If I’m lucky I’ll catch the eye of a cook or a blacksmith and I’ll at least be able to eat in the winter, but I’ll never have love. I’ll never have Leon. That is not for girls like me or Gwen.”

I crocked my eyebrow.

“No offense, you are a prince among peasants, but you are still a peasant. You are not Prince Arthur.”

“No I am not.”

She leans closer. “Prince Arthur will never marry Gwen. He’ll use her and throw her away. If you love her, you’ll save her from that. You’ll save her from him.”

I look at her, she is broken. Leon has done this to her and if I do not do something, Arthur will do this to Gwen.

“You are right. I am going to see her now.”

“Good boy. Stop in the marketplace and get her something pretty and then claim your woman.”

I smile. It was time.

*****

I wave at Merlin as we pass each other in the marketplace. He walks closer, but I can tell by the way he is looking and standing that something is bothering him.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, trying to sound like his usual chipper self.

“I am looking for something for Gwen. What do you think?”

I hold up a green scarf.

“She likes pink or purple,” he says tensely.

I shrug.

“What is wrong Merlin? You seem upset with me.”

He shrugged. “Gwen told me that you are courting her.”

“I am.”

Merlin let out a sigh.

“Does that bother you?”

“It’s none of my business.”

“Just say it.”

“I think what you’re doing stinks!”

“Merlin…”

“You are taking advantage of Gwen’s illness.”

Merlin words hurt.

“I am taking care of her Merlin.”

Merlin turns around. “I like you a lot Lancelot. I think that you are a great man and I know that you care for Gwen.”

“I love her.”
“But you don’t know how it is between them.”

“Gods! I am so sick of hearing about this so-called great love between them. If what they had was not worth touching, she would not be working so hard to forget it.”

Merlin shook his head. “You just don’t get it.”

“And you can’t see beyond your loyalty to Arthur.”

“I won’t deny that I feel for what Arthur is going through, but I am worried about you too, and Gwen. You have to know that things would be different if she could remember loving Arthur.”

“But she can’t.”

“But one day she will.”

*****

She is startled to see me at her door. It is the middle of the night and I can tell that I have awaken her.

“Let’s leave this place.”

She looks at me like I am madman and perhaps I am, but this place is not good for her, not good for us.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about starting over.”

“Where would we go?”

“Anywhere you want.”

“You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“How would we live?”

“I have met a lot of people while I was away. I can provide for you, give you the life you deserve.”

And I could. All she had to do was say yes.

“The life I deserve. Listen to yourself, you sound as if I am a Lady.”

I bowed. “You are my Lady.”

She kissed me. It was long and passionate. When she pulled back; I saw the turmoil in her eyes.

“I’ve been having these dreams, images that I can’t make out. I’m almost there Lance. I know it.”

I kiss her hand. “The past doesn’t matter. What matters is the future we can build together.”

“Lancelot you barely know me. How do you know that your feelings for me will remain?”

I laugh, the idea was so ridiculous. Did she not know that she and she alone owned my heart until the end of time? I pull her into my arms. “I will love you until my heart stops beating and beyond.”

I feel her relax in my arms. “Oh Lance.”

She kisses me again, but this time she pulls away. I reach for her but she quickly pulls away.

“What is wrong?”

She moves a hand to her head. “I…I wish I could say what you want me to hear but there is something holding me here…something that I can’t grab hold too, but it’s in me.” She grabs her head again and closes her eyes. I call her name but she doesn’t answer. When she finally opens her eyes they are full of tears. She puts her hand to her chest as she lets out a loud gasp. “Oh Gods. Oh Gods…”

“Gwen what is it? Look at me. Tell me what is wrong.”

When she looks at me, it’s almost as if she is seeing me for the first time. “Oh my gods,” she says again touching her lips. “It can’t be.”

I wipe the tears from her face.  “What is it?”

“I remember. I remember it all.” She smiles and let out a small laugh. When you kissed me just now…,” her face grew serious. “Lance I am so sorry.”

“Gwen what is it?” My heart was beginning to beat faster.

“It’s Art…”

“Guinevere !”

We both jump when we see Leon and a guard move towards us.

“What is the meaning of this?” I ask, still holding on to Gwen.

Leon looks at us sympathetically. “The King has ordered Gwen be brought to the castle immediately. “

A guard pulls her away from me.

Gwen nods, but I can feel her fear. I move to grab her arm, whatever the tyrant has planned now, I will not let him get away with it. Uther Pendragon will never hurt Gwen again.

One of the soldiers moves between them.

I gave Leon a confused look.

“Gwen is to come alone, by order of Prince Arthur.”

Gwen’s face falls

I seethe beside her. Arthur has betrayed her, he has sided with his father to get back into his good graces and if it’s the last thing I do I will see that he pays for this.