A/N: So, here it is – the final chapter! I want to thank a few people who were instrumental in bringing this story to light: MoonFox, for pushing me to write it and giving me some excellent suggestions when I got stuck on story development; sarajm, my fabulous beta, who did an amazing job and gave me very useful and concrete criticisms (and kept asking for permission to slap Vivienne!); and finally Donna, who went through this with a fine-toothed comb and fixed the grammar/spelling/logic errors that had escaped my view. Any and all mistakes that remain are mine … all mine … Mwahaha!

Chapter 6

It was a time of keen anticipation and it seemed as if all in the Kingdom were holding their breath, eagerly awaiting the birth of the King's heir. Uther was so anxious, in fact, that he had postponed several upcoming meetings with high status nobles simply to ensure that he would be present for his child's birth. It was an unprecedented act by the King, as he was very cognizant of Camelot's status among the Five Kingdoms and always put his kingdom first.

But this birth would ensure the future of Camelot and Uther refused to leave his Queen's side for a moment. Fortunately, his fellow noblemen were understanding and tolerant of Uther's vagaries. "Just wait until he's a father three or four times," they commented amongst themselves, "then he'll be happy to sit through endless meetings!"

Vivienne, too, waited with baited breath. Her plans were about to come to fruition and she had prepared carefully over the past eight months. She had arrived in Camelot a week earlier at the Queen's request, ostensibly to provide support and companionship.

Ygraine had approached Uther to ask that he send for the Lady Vivienne to attend her. Uther was inclined to refuse his wife's request, but when Ygraine explained to him that as Vivienne had already birthed two healthy children, she was the perfect person to guide the young Queen through the pain and joy of childbirth, and not wanting to upset his wife so close to her time, Uther grudgingly agreed to send for the woman.

Ygraine had arranged for Vivienne to be placed in chambers beside her own, and the two women spent the days sitting in the Queen's solar, idling chatting, or taking slow walks around the courtyard. Ygraine's time was near and, as she said once to Vivienne as the two were slowly making their way down the hall towards the Queen's chambers, she felt "as big as a barn!" Vivienne chuckled and patted Ygraine's hand where it lay in the crook of her elbow and said, "My Queen, that is a good thing. It means the child is healthy and strong."

It was very late that same night when a sudden pounding on Vivienne's door roused her. Rising from her bed and grabbing her dressing gown, she opened the door to find a frazzled-looking Uther standing there. "It is time," he said, "and Ygraine is asking for you. You must go to her. Hurry!" Then he turned and rushed down the hallway, presumably on a mission to fetch Nimueh, who would attend the birth as well.

"Well!" said Vivienne, with a sly look on her face as she closed the door. "So the time has come? How lovely," she purred. Not wanting to miss a thing, Vivienne quickly pulled on a simple gown, tied her hair back and was in the Queen's rooms less than five minutes later.

The midwife was already with the Queen and, on seeing Vivivenne, said, "My Lady, I could use your assistance. If you wouldn't mind supporting the Queen while she walks about for a bit, I can get everything in place for the birth."

Vivienne smiled a butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth smile and stepped forward to relieve the midwife. As Ygraine and Vivienne were circling the room for what seemed like the hundredth time, Nimueh arrived. Still believing that Vivienne's life would end with the birthing, she cast a compassionate look towards Vivienne and then conducted a brief consultation with the midwife. The Priestess then approached the two women who were still pacing the room and said, "Do not worry, my Queen. Everything will be fine and soon you will have a beautiful baby to hold in your arms. Here, why don't you return to the bed and let the midwife ensure that everything is progressing as it should."

Red-faced and panting, Ygraine couldn't speak so she just nodded and allowed Vivienne to steer her towards the bed, which had been stripped of its bedding, and assist her in lying down.

The midwife approached and said, "If I may, My Lady? I would like to examine you."

"What is your name?" asked Ygraine.

"Sarah."

"Certainly, Sarah, you may do whatever you need. I am in your hands," said Ygraine with a small smile. "Of course, if you wouldn't mind arranging for a quick and easy labour, I'd be eternally grateful!"

Sarah chuckled and as she passed her hands over Ygraine's belly she said, "Oh, my Lady, babies do as they want and no amount of wishing and hoping will make them appear any earlier than they choose. But, you are doing very well, and from what I can feel it seems the birth will be very soon."

But a quick and easy birth was not to be. As the hours passed with no visible change, Ygraine grew weaker and weaker. The child was not shifting and Ygraine was quickly losing the strength she'd need to usher the babe into the world.

The midwife was fussing, Nimueh was growing more and more concerned and Vivienne simply sat at the Queen's side, holding her hand and saying nothing. However, the thoughts racing through her brain were many and were all along the lines of It's obvious she cannot last much longer or Soon Ygraine will be dead and I can take the next steps towards becoming Queen.

It was coming on to evening when events swiftly began to move forward. Ygraine had been lying insensible on the bed for several hours, unnaturally still except for the rippling of her belly at every painful contraction. She was too exhausted and weak to even moan or cry out in pain.

In the meantime, Nimueh had become rather frantic at the results, or lack thereof, of the enchantment that she had prepared close to nine months ago. Something was terribly wrong; the spell should have ensured an easy pregnancy and a quick and easy labour resulting in a healthy mother and child. However, over the past hours, it had become painfully obvious that the spell had backfired. Everyone in the room, the Queen included, knew that she would not survive the birth of her child, and the survival of the baby was

doubtful as well.

Nimueh had taken to pacing the room, racking her brains to try to figure out what had gone wrong and how to fix it. Suddenly a frantic bustling at the bed drew Nimueh's attention. The midwife was now talking quietly to the Queen and Vivienne had withdrawn to the other side of the room.

"I am sorry it has taken so long, my dear," said Sarah, "but the time has come. The babe is ready to be born. You need to gather your strength and push when I tell you."

In a low and broken voice, Ygraine whispered, "I can't. I'm not strong enough," as tears coursed down her cheeks.

"Of course you're strong enough," snapped Sarah as she gestured for Vivienne to retake her place at the Queen's side. "You've carried this baby through nine months," she continued, "and that took strength. You've lost children before, yet you carried on and that took strength. You can do this. So, prepare yourself and when I tell you, push."

Sarah's brusque words lit a fire in Ygraine and she reached up to take Vivienne's hand. "Thank you, my dear friend, for being here with me," she said. "I would ask one thing of you. If I do not survive, will you ensure that the baby is well cared for? Don't let Uther blame the child for my loss. Will you promise me?" she said urgently.

Vivienne grasped the Queen's hand tightly in her own and said, "Ygraine, nothing will happen to you; but if it makes you feel better, you have my solemn word that I will look after both Uther and the baby."

A call of "push" interrupted the women's words and with a groan, Ygraine pushed. And pushed again and again. Nimueh was at her other side, bathing her forehead with a cool cloth and encouraging the Queen.

It took about twenty minutes of effort and exhortations, but finally Ygraine gave birth to a large, healthy boy. Sarah took the child, quickly cleaned him off, wrapped him in a soft blanket and then placed him in Ygraine's arms. It was obvious to everyone in the room, including Ygraine herself, that the birth had gone on too long and had damaged her beyond repair. She was dying and despite Nimueh's best efforts, nothing could be done to save her.

Ygraine barely had the strength to hold her son, but through sheer force of will she managed to clasp him close to her chest and gently stroke his cheek with her forefinger. There were tears in her eyes as she looked up first at Vivienne and then at Nimueh and said, "I would like you to meet my son, Arthur."

She signalled to Sarah to take the child and said, "Someone must go tell Uther that he has an heir. Tell him I am sorry that I cannot be with him to watch our child grow into manhood. Tell Uther I love him." Then, Ygraine released her last breath slowly. Her eyes glazed and her hands fell limp onto the bed. She was gone.

Nimueh was frantic by now – even though Camelot now had a healthy male heir, the Queen was dead and her enchantment had backfired. What had gone wrong? It was only as she looked over at the bed to see Vivienne reaching over to close Ygraine's eyes that she realized that Vivienne's hair had slipped from its tie and was now falling around her face and mingling with the Queen's. That in itself was not strange, considering the hours of effort the woman had put in assisting Ygraine. No, the shocking thing was that it was virtually impossible to differentiate Vivienne's hair from Ygraine's!

Could it be, wondered Nimueh, that Vivienne lied about this whole matter and it was actually Ygraine's hair that she handed over for the enchantment? As soon as she had the thought however, she immediately tried to banish it. She had no proof that Vivienne had tried to harm the Queen. After all, Vivienne had shown herself to be a good friend and steady companion and it was obvious that Ygraine cared very much for the woman.

Though Nimueh tried to convince herself that she was being unduly dramatic and ridiculous, the thought remained; a niggling little doubt.

Vivienne, while outwardly acting the shocked and grieving friend, was inwardly rejoicing. Her plans could not have gone any better! The Queen was dead and she was now in the perfect position to offer solace and comfort to Uther. Despite Uther's apparent disdain for her, Vivienne was confident that she could easily worm her way back into his affections, and then into his bed and finally to his side as Queen. She'd start with the child.

Reaching over to the midwife, she gently removed the newborn from her arms and cradled him close. Her eyes filled with tears, she looked up from the child and spoke to the room. "We will need to find a wet nurse," she said, "and someone must advise Uther."

Nimueh stared hard at Vivienne, but could see no dissemblement in her features. Sighing deeply, she said, "I will speak with the King. Are you willing to stay with the child while Sarah goes to find the wet nurse?"

"Of course," responded Vivienne. "Do not worry about us; rather, worry about the King."

Gathering Sarah up with her, Nimueh left the room but not before glancing back to see Ygraine lying on the bed, finally free from pain, and Vivienne standing at the window, gently rocking back and forth and soothing the child … no, Arthur.

How am I going to tell Uther that his Queen is dead? the Priestess wondered as she traversed the corridors heading towards the Small Hall, where the King was waiting, with his friend Gaius, for the good news.

The double doors to the Small Hall were opened by the two knights who stood guard and Nimueh entered, after taking a deep and steadying breath. Uther and Gaius were sitting at the table, each with a mug in front of them. Uther looked worried and excited at the same time. His clothes were mussed as though he had been fidgeting and his hair was standing up on end. Gaius, on the other hand, looked as composed as ever. Nimueh, though, knew the physician well and could see that he, too, was feeling anxious but covered it well.

On seeing the Priestess enter, the two men rose from their seats. Uther hurried to the woman and, grasping her arms tightly, said, "What news?"

Nimueh took a step back and Uther immediately released her. "You have a fine and healthy son, my Lord," she said.

A smile split Uther's face and he turned towards Gaius crowing, "A son! I have a son, Gaius! That is most excellent news. This calls for a drink."

As Uther reached over to grasp the carafe of wine, Gaius looked over at Nimueh and saw that the Priestess now wore a look of pain and sorrow.

"What has happened?" he asked in a concerned tone. "Nimueh, what else?" he said as the woman did not speak.

Uther heard Gaius' words, and the tone of his friend's voice sent a chill through his body. He placed the carafe back down on the table and without turning around said, "What has happened, Nimueh? Tell me!"

"My Lord … Uther … please accept … I am so terribly sorry," stuttered Nimueh. "Something went wrong and Ygraine is dead. I tried to save her, but it was impossible. I'm not sure what happened, but I believe that somehow the enchantment backfired. I know I performed the rite perfectly, so I cannot understand what went wrong."

Seeing no response from the King, Nimueh cast a desperate glance at Gaius. The physician was rooted in place, a look of shock on his face. Nimueh opened her mouth to speak when Uther's voice grated through the room. "Get out," he whispered. "Leave!" he then roared as he braced his fists on the table and stood with his head hung low.

Suddenly, he let forth a howl like a wounded animal and he turned, with fury, towards the young woman. Pointing at her, he yelled, "I trusted you and this is how you betray me? You and your magic have taken my darling Ygraine's life and left a baby without a mother. Begone! I banish you from Camelot, and if I ever see your face again I will ensure that you suffer as greatly as I am! Because of your treachery, I now know the evil of sorcery. I declare here and now that anyone caught practicing sorcery will be put to death, immediately and without recourse."

Nimueh jumped at Uther's voice and as his words washed over her, she paled. Gaius mouthed to her, "My chambers. Go." Nimueh quickly left the King and his physician without any further comment.

Gaius, meanwhile, gently grasped Uther's arm and said, "Uther, I have no words to tell you how sorry I am. I will look into this. Meanwhile, you have a son who needs you and you must say good-bye to Ygraine. Come with me." Gently guiding his King, Gaius led them on a sorrowful walk towards the Queen's chambers.

On entering the room, Uther headed directly to the bed and sat beside his wife's body, tears streaming down his face. Gaius looked around and not seeing any child, went to the midwife who was standing at the window watching the scene with tear-filled eyes and said, "Where is the child?"

Drawn out of the events before her, Sarah sniffed and turning to Gaius said, "Oh, the wet nurse took charge of him and he is now with her in his chambers. I will say, Gaius, that the Lady Vivienne was most helpful throughout this entire ordeal. She comforted the Queen during her labours and she took charge of the babe until we could locate the wet nurse."

Gaius had never been quite sure about Vivienne, but on hearing Sarah's glowing report of her, he simply said, "I am glad that the Queen had someone who loved her by her side at the end." Walking over to Uther, Gaius gently clasped his shoulder and said, "Sire, we will leave you in peace. I will find the reason for this and will report back to you shortly." A negligent wave was all the response Gaius received, so he and Sarah left the King to his grief.

Making his way to his chambers, Gaius was baffled by what had occurred. Though still young, Nimueh was one of the most talented Priestesses to have come from the Isle of the Blessed in years. She would not have made a mistake, so what could have happened?

Arriving at his room, he could hear Nimueh inside, pacing and muttering under her breath. Before he had even closed the door behind him, Nimueh was in front of Gaius, ranting.

"Nimueh, calm down a moment. I cannot understand what you are trying to say. Here, sit and tell me what you know."

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to centre herself, Nimueh then opened them again and said, "Gaius, while I have no proof, I am sure I know what happened. We have been betrayed! The enchantment itself worked perfectly. However, I believe that the Lady Vivienne replaced her lock of hair with one from the Queen. That bitch convinced me that she was acting selflessly by offering her life for Camelot's heir. I had no idea that the lock of hair that she gave me was not hers, but rather the Queen's. This was not my fault. You must make Uther understand that it was not magic that took his queen; rather it was the machinations of a vindictive and evil woman!"

Gaius could easily believe what Nimueh was telling him, but he also knew that his King would never forgive nor would he ever forget that it was magic that stole his love. "Nimueh, I believe you, and I will tell Uther. But you must understand that I cannot guarantee that this news will change his mind. His heart is broken and he is a stubborn and unforgiving man. You must leave Camelot, now, before he decides to seek you out and enforce his decree. I will do what I can, but for your own safety, you must return to the Isle of the Blessed with all due haste."

Realizing the truth of Gaius' words, Nimueh nodded her agreement. As she grasped the handle of the door, she turned back to the physician and said, "Tell him the truth, Gaius. I am counting on you. And tell Uther that should he decide to proceed with his persecution of magic, he will find nothing but pain and sorrow and loss for his efforts." A slamming of the door and Nimueh was gone.

While all this intrigue was happening, Vivienne was in her element. She had quickly passed off the child to his nurse and made her way back to her rooms, where she washed her face and hands, brushed and arranged her hair and proceeded to don one of her most provocative dresses.

Her time had finally arrived and she was ecstatic! She knew that Uther was now enclosed in the Queen's chambers and Vivienne was ready to offer solace and comfort to the grieving widower. Vivienne smiled at herself in the large mirror that stood by the wardrobe. She was young, she was beautiful, she was already a mother twice over; what more could Uther or Camelot ask for? It would be the work of moments to remove Gorlois from the equation – the man was far too trusting – and then she would be free to make her dreams come true.

"I will be Queen," she breathed as she pulled a few tendrils of hair from their clasps, pinched her cheeks hard enough to bring tears to her eyes. Assuring herself that she looked the personification of the grieving friend, Vivienne swept out of her rooms and down the hall towards the Queen's chambers.

The door was ajar and as she approached, she could hear voices. One was definitely Uther, but it took her a moment to determine that the other man was Gaius. As a leopard cannot change its spots, neither could Vivienne prevent herself from one last eavesdropping session. Standing quietly behind the door where she could not be seen by the room's occupants, she settled in for a listen.

"I tell you Uther, that is exactly what Nimueh told me before she ran. The cause of Ygraine's death was not magic, but the Lady Vivienne."

"How?" demanded the King. "What has Vivienne to do with this?"

"It would seem, Sire, the wife of your dearest friend has long harboured a desire to move up in the world. I believe she wants to be your wife and Queen of Camelot and used both you and Ygraine to obtain her desires. Vivienne was the one who approached Nimueh and offered her life for the babe's. While she has no proof, Nimueh believes that Vivienne did not hand over a lock of her hair for the enchantment; instead gave Nimueh a lock of the Queen's. Sire, I believe Nimueh is correct in her assumption."

"What?!" roared the King. "That bitch! Find her, Gaius, I want her in chains in front of me. I want her to beg for her life. I will take great joy in throwing her in the dungeons and then watching her hang!"

On hearing the King's words, Vivienne paled. All her plans, her dreams, her years of scheming had been brought down by Gaius' words in the span of less than a minute. How had Numeuh figured out her treachery? Damn them all, she thought as she quickly and quietly made her way back to her chambers, grabbed her cloak and hurried down to the stables.

She was left with no choice but to flee back to Gorlois' manor house like a whipped dog and hope against hope that her husband never heard of her role in the events of the day. Spitting and snarling, Vivienne mounted the horse the Royal Stables provided her. She jabbed her heels sharply into the flanks of the poor creature and made her way at a gallop through the gates of Camelot and towards home. Her plans lay in tatters around her and Vivienne cursed Uther, Nimueh and Gaius all through her desperate ride home and to her dying breath.

When Gaius learned of Vivienne's hasty departure, he returned to inform the King but on seeing the man slumped in a chair beside his wife's body, Gaius instead carefully closed the chamber door and headed off to inform the council of the day's event.

Uther sat in the chair, mourning his wife and thinking of the days to come. As fond as he was of his daughter, Uther deeply regretted every moment he'd spent with Vivienne. At least now, in Arthur, he'd secured the future of Camelot and that mistake could be put behind him.

In a quiet chamber adjacent to the King's own, was a large, ornately carved cradle. In that cradle, swaddled in blankets of the softest wool, lay a baby, a boy not yet 24 hours old. Uther sat at his son's side, slowing rocking the cradle back and forth, staring down at his son's face with tears in his eyes, desperately seeking his beloved Ygraine in the child's features.

The child – Arthur – did not realize it yet, but he would grow up to become the greatest King that Camelot would ever know. But that was the future; right now, all the child knew was that he was warm and sleepy and he was being gently rocked.