Chapter Text
"Uther?"
"No, God no. I do not want to share a name with my son. It is a terrible idea."
She laughed, "Many people do it nowadays, you know..."
"And I shall not be one of them. How full of yourself do you have to be?"
"Well, you can be a bit-"
"I will not allow you to finish that, for your sake." he said, in a solemn tone
She laughed again, eyes adoring, "Well, then, Mr Humble, what would you suggest?"
"Oh, no. You won't draw me into this madness. We shall have someone pick it for us."
"And who would do that? Who is stupid enough to tell you what to do, Uther?"
"We shall let magic decide, it's already given us a son, what is one more trick?"
Ygraine bit her lip, "I am unsure," she turned to face him, "I think we have done enough magic for several centuries now, just by creating him. I think the least we can do is come up with a name."
"We use magic all the time," he frowned, "What is the sudden aversion?"
"I just-" she sighed, "I think that just in creating him, in making something that isn't supposed to be, it's dangerous. And I do not wish to be dependant on magic. I do not use it, after all."
"Ygraine, the whole kingdom is dependant on magic. The kingdom is alive with it, from Gaius' potions, to the dragons that grace the sky. It is not a bad thing to be dependant upon something which surrounds us, just the downsides of such a thing. Magic is a tool. It is he who wields it that would be to blame for wrongdoing."
"I suppose. Still, I'd prefer not to. I wish it to be ours. I wish for him to be ours."
"Fine. Constantine, like my father." he said, decisively
She shakes her head, amusement gracing her features once more, "Alas, I think not. Such a heavy crown for a little boy to wear."
"It is a noble name."
"Noble, undoubtedly," she licked her lips, attempting to be diplomatic, "but...it is a long name, and has much implications. Your father was not the most liked of rulers."
"Fine." he said, sulking slightly
"If you wish it, we may name him that. But these are all just suggestions, are they not?"
Uther sighed, "I suppose."
"How about an animal name?" she asked, "I've always liked those."
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know....Leo, for lion, Artos, for bear, or a bird themed name like Wren, or even Merlin. I love those little birds."
"Our son shall not be a bird," Uther protested, "He shall be a warrior. A great warrior."
"So shall he be a lion, or a bear? Maybe he could be a dragon, for your obsession with gazing at them."
"They are beautiful. He shall be strong, powerful. He shall take after his father."
"I like Artos," she said, venturing closer, "But I think he shall be like his father, a beautiful, strong, kindhearted little prince. Maybe we play with the spelling...make him closer to you?"
"Uthos?" Uther laughed, "I think maybe we should go back to asking Gaius to conjure something up."
She shook her head, "I was thinking something more...discreet."
Uther raised an eyebrow, "Like?"
"Arthur."
"Arthur?"
"Yes. You don't like it? We can always go back to Constantine..."
"No."
"No?" her eyes met his, "You're sure?"
"Arthur is excellent. I love it."
"I hope you'll love the real thing, too." she grinned, "He shall be everything we've wished, and more. Our gorgeous baby boy."
"Our son," Uther said, eyes full of adoration and anticipation.
Everything was as it should be.
That was a week ago.
Now, Ygraine was dead, and Nimueh had fled to the furthest reaches of the kingdom, nowhere to be seen. Gaius was sobbing at his feet, begging him not to kill the pathetic burbling parasitic creature that had destroyed everything that he had made for himself.
"Get out of the way, Gaius."
"Please, don't harm him. He is a baby. He understands nothing." he sniffed, cradling it close to his chest.
"It is a product of evil. It must be destroyed."
He wiped his tears away, "He is a product of magic. Dangerous, unpredictable magic. You were not to blame, but-"
"I was not to blame? Of course I was not to blame! When I was told there would be a cost, I had no idea what it would be!"
"I know, but-"
"Get out of the way."
"You agreed to this!" he cried, desperate.
"I did not" he growled, "Now get out of the way, or I shall strike you down too."
"He is a baby, he understands not the reasons for his birth." Gaius stroked him gently, "Look at him, sire."
He held it up.
The baby was large, with little rosy cheeks, beautiful blue eyes, and the beginnings of fair hair on its head. It was swaddled in Gaius's robes, a makeshift blanket. It smiled and fussed over any and all movement, completely unaware of the conversation occurring over its existence. It looked like her.
"Arthur." Gaius supplied, "That's what she said..."
"He looks like her," Uther said, tears forming in his eyes, "I-"
"He's beautiful, sire."
Uther swallowed his tears, clenching his fists. He felt the rage boil back in his chest, "I want it taken away. Far away from me, or I will kill it."
Gaius nodded, covering the child with his cloak. It did not cry.
"I also wish to convene the council," he called, as Gaius began to leave.
Gaius turned to look at him once more, fear in his eyes, "May I ask what about?"
"I will be making magic illegal, on pain of death." he said, harshly.
Gaius looked down at the bundle in his arms, moving gently, and considered all the options available to him, the fear in his heart, and the love for the family he served, "I shall burn my own books," he stated, simply.
Uther nodded sharply, allowing the physician to leave.
The pyres were built the very next day, and upon the eve of Arthur's birth, Camelot mourned their freedom.