Fireheart (A Merlin Love Story)

Chapter 19, Part 1

Ariella's P. O. V:

I sit beside Morgana in the throne room, Eric and Gwen standing next to us, when a woman with long auburn hair and brown eyes wearing a white dress and blue cloak walks up to Uther, a lean, dark haired man beside her, and Merlin and Gaius with them.

Uther says in recognition, Arthur standing on his right, "Lady Catrina! Is it really you?"

I glance at Merlin to see him staring at Lady Catrina with a dazed look on his face, and I notice the exact same one on my brother's, as Catrina shakes her head and bows, while saying in disbelief, "I can hardly believe it myself, My Lord!"

I look back at Uther with a slight frown when he says, "We've heard tidings from the north that the House of Tregor had... fallen to invaders...?"

Eric and I'd heard the exact same thing from Daddy many years ago, as the House of Tregor was once our ally.

"All that you've heard was true, My Lord," Says Lady Catrina. "And worse."

"And your father, the king?" Uther asks, stepping up to her.

"Gone, Sire!" She gasps in a fierce, pained whisper. "The enemy attacked without warning. We were outnumbered, five to one. We could not endure! I would never have survived it, if not for my faithful servant, Jonas." She glances to the slightly hunched man behind her and he bows toward Uther.

He inclines his head in return. "But we did survive." Catrina looks back at the king. "And we have made it this far...!"

She trails off as she suddenly starts to collapse. Uther catches her as Morgana and I jump to our feet in worry, and we start to rush toward her with Arthur and Eric.