The thundering sound of hooves broke the silence of the sleeping village, spear heads glinting in the silver moonlight. A small army had arrived in Ealdor, and all for one man. The orders to search every hut was answered with the slamming of kicked in doors on packed dirt floors, accompanied by the shrill screams and wailing of the occupants.

Every home was invaded, with men in blood red capes dragging people out, tearing their way through the meagre belongings without thought. And at the centre of it all a man stood stoic; no pleas for them to stop, no wailing child could inflict a measure of pity within him. But perhaps worst of all, there was no anger. He genuinely believed this was needed, and any who stood in his way, who aided his prey, should receive no soft treatment. After all, people like them didn't give her a chance. And she was the best of anyone.

Through the chaos there was a strangely familiar face that danced at the edges of his vision. Turning slowly until his eyes flickered over the cowering faces of each peasant. Until he found her. Funny, she was the exact opposite of his wife was like while she was with child. This woman's hair was dark and limp, whereas she was graced with shining gold strands.  The peasant woman was small and wan, whereas she held herself tall and glowed with happiness as her belly swelled. But maybe, these differences would cause the largest of them all: if she died despite good health, maybe this strangely familiar woman would live despite hunger and poverty.  

Looking her ragged self over, flickers of memories came back to him. Her walking hurriedly through hallways with her head down, shuffling in and out of rooms to deposit something before bobbing a quick curtsey then squirrelling away. But most of all, her walking and laughing with a man, one of his closest confidants.

Stalking closer to her he noticed that despite her shivers, from fear or the cold night air he wasn't sure, and didn't particularly care, she met his glare with her own.

"You were in Camelot. You know Gaius." He drawled as he circled around her, slowly making his way closer to her. "Why did you leave? Why come here to this godsforsaken place?" He asked as he made his way back to her front. But she remained silent, her hands trembling and clutching at her swollen stomach, an idea forming in his mind. He clicked his tongue before he lowered himself to a crouch, cocking his head as he looked more closely at her. "Why would you allow yourself to leave a place where you were in close contact to a skilled physician...when you're so close to your time?" His softly spoke  words were punctuated by his gaze drifting to her stomach, making her trembles increase. Making a show of it, he looked around them as if at a loss, "Where is your husband? Surely he wouldn't allow his woman to bear their child alone?... but I don't remember you having a husband." Raising his hand to his chin, he continued his scrutiny of her. And as he did so, all his thoughts centred over how his son will grow up without a mother, so, perhaps, he'll allow the bastard offspring to grow up without a father. He'll make sure of it.

Standing abruptly, the woman flinched back in abject fear, clutching her stomach harder, even going so far as to hunch over. "We're looking for a man. He goes by the name of Balinor and he is a traitor to the Crown. Any who are found to have, or will, aid him by any means will be executed on sight and their property forfeited. Let this serve as a reminder to all; I will not allow the plague of sorcery to inflict its poison upon the good of the people." With that, he spun on his heel, calling for his men to move out. His purpose was done: he had driven the traitor out, and although he was in hiding, he was astutely aware the likelihood that the pregnant woman bore his spawn. And so, as he returned to his white wall city, he deigned that a reclusive man of his guard would slowly immerse himself into the small outlying village of Ealdor. To keep watch of the woman, her child and ensure that Balinor would never return to the one place that could ensure his happiness. Satisfied with his plan, he called for Bors to ride out to his new home.

However, there were consequences to this decision. Although he did indeed keep watch, he became a friend to the woman, helped her in her last stages of pregnancy, and held her as she screamed into the night as she gave birth. He soothed her as she cried herself to sleep, distraught at her lover being unaware of the two nameless infants mewling in their cots. And he guarded the dark haired twins as they pranced about the village as they grew, hushed their own cries as they realised that they were different.  Taught them to keep it a secret, as he had to. For if there was something that Bors knew: if it became known these two boisterous children were more than they seemed, Uther Pendragon would return to Ealdor - and leave with their heads.