Author's Notes: I am terribly sorry for the delay, life and well other stories tend to get in the way of updating everything as regularly as I'd really like to. This is short, but rather plot important chapter. Hopefully, I'll be able to update again soon. Two weeks at most. I am so thankful the six wonderful reviews I received for the first chapter! Thank you guys so much! Here's your reward!
Cloacks of Darkness
Chapter Two: Of Princes and Lust
I have to admit to being frightened. With Arthur's kisses still tingling on my neck, my lips red and swollen and my dress and hair disheveled everyone must have realized what the Princess Morgaine had been doing. I felt like a common harlot, a street whore. Yet at the same time, I felt whole and complete and one with the Goddess inside me.
But which feeling conquered over all? I could not tell you. My ache for Arthur was one that I had felt for no other, and what added to the passion was the forbiddingness of it all. His Christian Priests would be tempted to take away the crown from such a pagan King.
No one could find out it was I that warmed Arthur's bed at night, if they did the consequences were unthinkable. But what about when Arthur took a wife? What would happen then? Would he remain loyal to the Goddess and succumb to her will, or would he use every ounce of Christianity in his upbringing to be loyal and good to his wife?
My head was filled with so many thoughts and ideas as I walked down the stairs and descended into the throngs of people in the court yard that I did not notice a pair of dark unknown eyes follow me.
It was Lancelot who had been so close to taking Arthur's place in my heart who happened upon me first.
"Morgaine! Cousin!" he cried rushing towards me, "Is it not a beautiful day?"
I smiled and said yes, but my eyes watched him wryly, he was a man in love, that much was obvious. I sighed, knowing that it was not with me in an instant. I enquired after his health since we last met and watched him for signs of love. He was rather discreet, this I had to give him, but his eyes kept wandering back to one of the many Princesses who had been brought as potential brides for my Gwydion.
A feeling of over protectiveness and jealousy washed through me in a blinding manner, and it took all my self awareness and self-control not to growl out, "None of these ninnies are good enough for my Arthur!" Instead I enquired merrily if Lancelot was ready to settle down, and he gave me a startled look and before recovering and laughed but I noticed he looked at the young fair thing much less often.
When looking back at her, I realized that it was the very same Princess Arthur said he was to marry. This could not be! I would have Arthur for a whole year before I would let him be married.
I knew not how I could approach Arthur now, my body and soul so aroused from his touch and convince him not to marry the fair young woman. I would have to use every ounce of persuasion in my body to convince him to reject her.
How could I do this?
It would be one thing if Arthur was raised a true believer in the Goddess, but he was raised in a jumble of Christian rules and Avalon rights. What side waged stronger in his mind? How could I manipulate his mind without making it overly obvious to not only him, but the entire court?
How could I keep Arthur to myself for an entire year?
Prince Accolon of North Wales let out a heavy sigh as he struggled through the many court goers trying to find a spot where he could rest peacefully. He knew that his father, King Uriens considered himself to be doing young Accolon a great favor by allowing him to see the high King's coronation, but Accolon would have none of it.
The moon had been almost full the night before, and he had felt the gentle pulling at his blood that he felt every month at this time, and had heard the Goddesses call for him to join her in body and spirit.
He had oft asked his father to allow him to learn the ways of the Druids, but his father, for many years could not be convinced.
Someway, somehow he must convince his father to let him become a Druid.
And then he saw a beautiful creature, far and beyond anyone's wildest imagination, descend from the steps and into the court, and knew what must be done.
Even if he was only ten, the young Prince was not blind, and knew what the crescent moon tattoo that adorned her forehead meant.
As I met and greeted with people, both knew friends and old, I was introduced to King Uriens from North Wales. At the moment, this acquaintance meant little to me, but then I did not have the fore sight to see just how important the old King could be.
With the introduction to the King, I also met his two sons, Agrivaine and Accolon. Agrivaine struck me as a mean tempered little beast whose eyes, during the entirety of our introduction did not leave my breasts for an instance. He was not much younger than I, perhaps fourteen or fifteen and I felt violated by his stare and half tempted to slap him.
Accolon was altogether different. He was ten, maybe eleven, and looked upon me with admiration as well, and although I should have felt just as disgusted, I didn't. I felt somehow, as if he had a right to stare at me, and although I could not place it then, I knew in the back of my mind that this young Prince had the blood of a druid in him.
His eyes constantly fell upon the mark of the Goddess that rested on my fore head and eventually he spoke to me about it.
"My lady Morgaine?" he asked with a slight quiver to his voice.
"Yes Prince Accolon?" I asked reassuringly smiling down at him.
"Is it true that you learned the ways of the Goddess at Avalon?" he asked now becoming bolder.
I smiled fondly thinking of the place of my fosterage. "Yes I did, I was fostered there by my Aunt Vivian Lady of the Lake."
"How does a person become a druid or a priestess? How do they get to Avalon to learn?" he asked eagerly.
I leaned down towards him so that are eyes were level. I did not have to bend much being the slight creature that I am, but it made my message all the more powerful. "Sometimes" I half whispered, "The Lady of the Lake and the Merlin will spot out their protégée quickly and easily, and implore their parents to let them be fostered at Avalon."
He nodded and I leaned towards his ear and whispered, "However, usually one has to know someone who has already been there that could possibly make a recommendation."
With that last trace of a smile I walked away from the young Prince a brilliant idea forming in my mind.
The festivities of the day were fair, and gay, with much laughing to go round. I could not let my sight linger from Arthur for more than a second as he mock battled against his friends and knights. His golden blonde curls flew disarray around his face, his handsome blue eyes set in determination. With Excalibur in his hand he did those of the Goddess proud showing Excalibur's might and beauty.
Arthur looked so handsome, and my eyes watched him hungrily. Tonight he would be mine, wholly and completely.
That evening there was a feast, where Arthur's potential brides were met by the court goers and yet more introductions were made. Arthur made a speech, something like the one he would make at the coronation ceremony although I wagered, not nearly as long or as profound.
It is not the feast I care about, nor the day which seemed to me to be long and tedious processes leading to the night. After we had all ate and drunk, Arthur gave me a very long hard look, that made me shiver, and I made my excuses to him and the other guests.
I went to his rooms, and shut the door, quickly undressing and lay naked on the bed, much as I had done at the king making and waited for him. This time, I had no fear, only an aching desire to be one with the man the Goddess had chosen for me.
I waited several minutes and with each that passed my desire for him grew stronger. Eventually, the door opened, and there he stood in a majestic glory. He closed the door slowly, and circled towards the side of the bed working through all the canopies. I smiled at him nervously, and sat up, slinging my legs over the side so that I could remove his breeches, while he quickly rid himself of his tunic.
It seemed like an age, but finally, he was undressed and climbed a top me planting me with kisses, and I allowed myself to sink into the bliss of a terrible sin.
Author's Notes: Thank you to those who have read. Please review, it's in all honesty, the polite thing to do.