I tried to find snake tale to change it, but didn’t use search. I intend to write more--I’ve posted part 2, but still am not happy with it. And I always wanted to give Morgause the kind of treatment she never gets in most books--a victim and a villain at the same time!
Romance / The Pendragon Bastards: Part 1
Chapter One: Morgause
Morgause, the bastard daughter of Uther Pendragon, rode through the streets of Camelot to Camlann to be at the side of her father. Uther was ill with a fever, and Merlin had summoned her to help him. The two of them had no love for each other, but the welfare of the king was important to the kingdom. Merlin knew her skills as a healer, therefore he put his personal feelings aside.
She had lived on her own for five years since Uther had married Igraine the widow of Gorlois of Cornwall. Igraine had stated in no uncertain terms that she would not marry Uther if Morgause remained in the palace. At first she had been upset. Morgause liked living in the palace, but after a while decided that she might like being mistress of her own household better. She kept only servants that she trusted, and her secret room where she practiced her sorceries was kept locked and there was no risk of any nosy servant of Igraine or the king learning her secrets.
She remembered the day Caradhwen, her mother, had brought her to Uther. After she had born Uther’s bastard daughter, Caradhwen had received a generous amount of gold for her silence—and absence--that more than paid for the necessities. She was no fool—she knew that even if she’d born him a son; the chances were he would not sit on the throne of Camelot. A daughter was safer, a daughter posed no threat. A daughter could be used as a pawn in marriage, even if a bastard. Morgause possessed a beauty that could make a man weep with lust--perhaps her birthright might not stand in her way.
It was hard to tell they were mother and daughter, they seemed more like sisters. Alike, yet unlike, Morgause had red-gold hair while Caradhwen’s was buttercup yellow. Her eyes were blue, but her daughter had violet eyes that had gold lights around the pupil. If you looked carefully though, there was no doubt that Morgause was the Pendragon’s daughter. Uther had left his stamp on her features and there was no doubt who Morgause’s father was.
Caradhwen was pleased with her daughter’s looks, and she’d taught her the old ways, lest the magic that was the legacy of the women in her family be lost.
Morgause remembered those lessons well. The lessons in magic, the old ways, she didn’t mind. What she hated was the hours she spent as her mother taught her to be an expert in the art of seduction. She was instructed to remove her robes slowly, so that each curve, each round breast was slowly revealed. When her mother was not pleased, she would strike her with a long sapling, making her do it over and over again. If she really angered her mother, she would be whipped until she bled.
“You’re a bastard,” Caradhwen would scream at her while she lashed her, “You’ll only make a good marriage if you can enchant a man into ignoring your birthright and be enchanted by your looks instead. They’ll want to marry Uther’s daughters, if he has any. You have to make them want you. Make a good marriage and you’ll be untouchable—if you’re careful. Too many of these kings are converting to Christianity. Find a king who follows the old ways and marry him.”
“What about Merlin?” She threw this at her mother one day during one extraordinarily brutal whipping. Her mother had railed over Merlin more than once. Her magic was no match for his, even though Caradhwen was a powerful witch. Morgause had an idea that her powers equaled her mother’s, but she wasn’t ever going to try to cross her. She’d endure the whippings, the hours of dressing and undressing, being bored to tears hearing about her birthright, just to learn what Caradhwen knew.
Caradhwen lowered her cane. “Steer clear of Merlin and hope he stays away from you. He’s a powerful wizard and I haven’t been able to penetrate his mind. He has secrets, he has the ear of Uther, he’s a dangerous enemy. Neither of us are a match for Merlin.” So there was someone that her mother feared after all.
She was fourteen years old the day Caradhwen brought her to court. They had been admitted to the throne room with no problem, due, she was sure, to something her mother had done. Uther’s eyes had lit up when he’d seen Morgause; but then he saw her mother and composed his face into a mask. He’d looked at her long enough for Morgause to realize the great Pendragon, married or not, still had a weakness for women. He looked at Caradhwen and said slowly, “Why have you come?”
“I’m dying, my lord, I want to make sure our daughter is protected. I want a safe home and a good marriage for her, one that is fitting for the daughter of Uther Pendragon.”
Morgause looked at her mother, surprised. She’d had no idea of this, but then she could not read her mother’s thoughts. She knew that if she said she was dying, she was. And without protection, who knew what her own fate would be?
“Morgause.” She dropped into a deep courtesy when Uther said her name. He rose from his throne and came down the dais, taking her hands and helping her to her feet. “I would not have my daughter uncared for, bastard or not.”
“My lord,” Morgause curtseyed again. “I thank you. You will not regret your decision.
“I do not believe I will. You are more beautiful than your mother, and I would not have thought that possible.” He turned to Caradhwen, “Madam, you may leave. I will send my physicians to you if you so request. And you may see your daughter, but not at court. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lord, I thank you.” She curtseyed, rose, and left the chamber. Morgause stifled a laugh. Caradhwen was as imperious in nature as Uther, and to see her acting the obedient subject was as good as a comedy. She was glad to be free of her. Now there would be no more lessons, no more whippings, and she could practice magic on her own.
Life was good in Camelot. She was always aware of her status as bastard, but she was the royal bastard. She didn’t have the status of princess, but she had her own attendants, all the gowns she could have wished for, and sat at Uther’s table. She noticed that he was keenly aware of the way his guests would look at her, particularly the men. There was a look on his face she could not quite read, but she could tell he was speculating, weighing a decision.
Uther had summoned his war dukes to a banquet. To Morgause’s surprise he asked her to walk alone with him that afternoon. Each said nothing; neither was given to many words. He put his hand on her shoulder, fingering her fiery curls. She knew Uther used her as an ornament but that suited her just fine. Let him put her out there for all to see. Everyone knew now that she was his daughter and she expected the deference she felt she was owed.
“Morgause,” he said, breaking the silence, “I have a task for you. Do it well and you will be rewarded.
“And what is it my lord requires of me?” She looked up at him, eyes innocent, ever the obedient daughter.
“Lot of Orkney will be among the chieftains dining with us tonight. I would have him as one of my dux bellorum, but I do not know if I can trust him. I want you to seduce him. Do anything he asks of you and more. A man besotted by a beautiful girl will likely be willing to accommodate her. And loosen his tongue.”
“I am a virgin, my lord. I have not yet known a man.” She said it softly, not yet sure if she was ready for this. Perhaps this would increase his generosity if he knew what he asked of her. She had not expected this of her father, but it did not wholly surprise her. Daughter or not, she was still only his bastard.
“I imagine your mother has prepared you for this. I can understand your reluctance to give up your maidenhead for political purposes, but name your price and I will consider it.”
“Yes, yes!” she thought, then said aloud, “A good marriage. A royal marriage. When you deem the time right. For that I will do anything you ask.”
He laughed. “I would have expected no less. When the time comes, I’ll give you to a king—I’ll even make sure you consent. In the mean time, do as I ask, when I ask it. Show me you are my obedient daughter and you’ll not be sorry for it.”
That night she wore a gold velvet gown, with a shift of embroidered gold silk that revealed her breasts. She wore her hair loose, confined only with a circlet shaped like a snake biting its tale. She looked at Lot of Orkney and gave him a honey-sweet smile. His hands shook so hard he dropped his goblet of wine. When the women left the table, she could feel Lot’s eyes on her. The man had been looking at her like he wanted to eat her alive all through dinner. She understood now why Uther had chosen her for this.
The rest was even easier. She went to her chamber and her maidens removed her robes and wrapped a silk bed robe about her. She removed the circlet from her hair and shook it loose. She splashed rosewater between her thighs and looked in the mirror, satisfied with what she saw. “Let what be will be,” she chanted to the mirror.
She walked to Lot’s room, escorted by one of her father’s footmen. “Your father has instructed me to wait for you my lady,” he said, and she touched his hand briefly.
Recognizing her, the guards bowed and let her into Lot’s chambers. Lot lay naked in bed. Smiling, she let her silky robe drift from her shoulders as her mother had taught her. He looked at her, entranced, taking in the golden hair, the fair skin, and the revealing of what her garments had hid. He then sat up, took her hand, and pulled her into bed with him.
As Uther instructed her, she gave him all of what he wanted; then, using a spell her mother had taught her, she whispered in Lot’s ear. He began to talk and talk, and she guided the conversation to the questions Uther wanted answered. Lot willingly gave up his secrets and when he’d finished, she took him in her arms and caused his manhood to rise, and took him into her.
She woke in her own bed, having refused to spend the night in Lot’s. She was sore, bruised, and felt used but she had discovered a power she did not know she possessed. Lot had been her servant, helpless as a baby against her will. A knock came at the door, and she got up—painfully—and put on her robe. She motioned to one of her maids to open the door.
It was a servant in Uther’s livery, holding a chest. “The king begs that you accept this little gift from him.” He opened it up and inside was a diamond and topaz necklace. She picked it up and dangled it from her fingers. She held it up to the window to let it sparkle in the sun. Uther at least was willing to pay her for the services she had rendered.
Still looking at the necklace, she said, “Tell my lord king I am his faithful servant in all things, and that I thank him for the lovely gift he has given me.” The servant bowed and a maid took the chest. Morgause, smiling, put on the necklace, admiring the way the stones lay against her skin. Lovely. Perhaps next time he would give her emeralds.
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cindergirl6 reviewed Version 3 -
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Page 1 paragraph 4- borne- not born
page 1, end line-”even if she was a bastard”-?, just a suggestion
Page 3, paragraph 1-”She endured”-not she’d endured…
Page 3, paragraph 2-”So there was someone that her mother feared after all”. This might sound better if it were in italics or written as a thought. Written “as is” it threw the paragraph off a little.
Page 5, paragraph 5-“I am a virgin, my lord. I have not yet known a man.” She said it softly.- comma after man then quotation the lowercase “she”.
These are just some suggestions. I love this story and want more! It is a whole new take on the story, one I have never heard and I am a big fan or the Arthurian and Pendragon legends. I don’t know what your intentions are but I must say that this could be marketable. Please continue posting this story.
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Rhonda9080 reviewed Version 2 -
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Wow! I am so glad I found this Part 1! This is powerful writing! Your character Morgause is fascinating. Uther is well done (I am an Uther fan—supposed to be in the famliy lineage). I am already completely caught up in this story!
The imagery is beautiful, the taking of her virginity described in an appropriate and non-florid way. Her reaction to all that is asked of her, and the discovery of her “power she didn’t know possessed” makes her a strong, compelling character.
This is so very publishable. I would buy these books in a heartbeat. Add to favorites? Oh Yes!!!
OresteseViera reviewed Version 3 -
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Overall, this does give Morgause a definite edge of intelligence and conniving in a way, but she does it to survive. I found no errors in this story except when you spelled snake tale, which is supposed to be snake tail.
I especially like how you didn’t go into detailed detail of the bedroom scene. It definitely was a relief to not read stories resembling porn.
In the end of this, I hope there’s more to read because I want to read more. What you have developed is a perfect description, perhaps even better than the vindictive characters played out in movies.
If I’m correct, Morgause loves Uther, doesn’t she? Even with all the sacrifices she might make for him. I can tell this by how she granted his request for making Lot speak and being the obedient daughter, which was somewhat harder for her with her mother.
Excellent work!
wisedec4u reviewed Version 2 -
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Wonderful! Wonderful! I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this piece. The narrative was perfect for period and the little detail you put in really made the you feel as if you were living in the days of King Arthur and his court. I don’t you think you’d have any problem getting this published. You have created a intriguing character in young seductress, Morgause. I cannot wait to read the next installment and see how the young grows in both beauty and power. Interesting that you are telling a medival story from a young maiden’s point of view rather than the hero’s. It’s refreshing. Look forward to reading more.
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