When Uther returned to Din Eidyn in early June, it was nearly time for Ygerna to deliver the baby. A week later, Ygerna gave birth to a girl.
“She’s beautiful,” Uther said, kissing Ygerna’s forehead while the midwives cleaned the baby. “What shall we name her?”
Ygerna smiled weakly. “I like the name Anna.”
“Then that’s what we’ll call her, my darling.”
Lucilia, one of Ygerna’s midwives, gently handed the baby to her queen. “She seems perfectly healthy, my Lady.”
Ygerna nodded and pulled Anna close to her. The baby cooed softly.
Uther looked up and saw Arthur at the door with his nurse. He motioned for Arthur to come to him.
“This is your baby sister Anna,” he said after Arthur climbed up on Ygerna’s bed.
Arthur stared at the baby and then looked up at his father. “Anna?” he asked with a grin.
Uther nodded.
Arthur looked back at the baby. “Anna.”
“That’s right, Arthur,” Ygerna said. “This is Anna.”
Arthur grinned again and crawled to the edge of the bed. He jumped down and ran across the room to his nurse, who took him back to the nursery.
“I think he likes his sister’s name,” Uther commented.
Ygerna nodded, too happy and weary to say anything.
In August of 469 AD, just after Anna’s second birthday, Ambrosius’ men intercepted a messenger from Queen Rowenna carrying letters from Vortigern to Hengist. This was the first messenger that they’d intercepted since Ambrosius began watching the roads leading to the Saxon-held lands.
Ambrosius read the letters several times. The first letter was from Vortigern, reminding Hengist of their alliance and asking the Saxon King to come to his aid in reclaiming the High Kingship. The second was from Rowenna, but it was written in her native Saxon tongue. Ambrosius had to wait while someone translated it, but when he was finally able to read its contents, he became enraged.
Rowenna suggested that Hengist form alliances with the Picts, Caledonians, and the Irish to attack Britain at the same time as the Saxons and the Anglians. “Once the kingdoms loyal to Ambrosius have been quelled, the kingdoms loyal to Vortigern will be unable to offer any defense against you. You can destroy Ambrosius and Vortigern at the same time, claiming your rightful lordship over all of Britain with ease. You can offer the Picts, Caledonians, and Irish a share of the spoils for their help. And once I’m widowed, you can marry me to Colgrin’s son to strengthen your alliance with the Anglians. You need not concern yourself with Vortigern’s young son. He will have no sons to trouble you once you’ve conquered Britain.”
Ambrosius immediately sent copies of the letters to every member of the Council of Kings except for Vortigern.
Over the next three months, four other messengers from Vortigern were intercepted heading for Hengist, and two were intercepted heading for Colgrin. Each message begged for aid in putting down what Vortigern referred to as “Ambrosius’ Rebellion,” and offering more lands as payment.
Ambrosius was concerned that one of Vortigern’s messages might reach Hengist or Colgrin. I should move against Vortigern now, but it’s too late in the year to mount that kind of campaign. The armies will get caught in that rocky terrain and covered in snow while Vortigern stays warm in his fortress. As soon as the spring thaws arrive, I’ll move against him and smoke him out into the open where he can’t hide.
Ambrosius prepared letters to the kings loyal to him as High King, instructing them to bring their armies to the border of Gwynedd by the end of March. He also prepared additional letters to Uther, Nudd-Lludd, and Mor. They’d have to cross Rheged to reach Gwynedd, and Ambrosius wanted them to know that he’d help them safely bring their armies across King Gwrast’s lands.
Uther read the letters from Ambrosius and then handed them to Merlin.
“I can’t believe that Ambrosius is going to risk open war with Vortigern,” Merlin said when he finished reading.
“You read the copies of his letters to Hengist and that letter from Rowenna,” Uther reminded him. “What choice does Ambrosius have? Either he crushes the red dragon now, or he risks Britain being conquered at Vortigern’s invitation.”
“I still can’t believe that Rowenna would kill her own son just to make certain that none of Vortigern’s sons survive,” Merlin said.
Uther snorted. “She’s Hengist’s daughter first and foremost. She’ll do whatever is in his best interests.”
“What will Strathclyde do? King Ceretic sided with Vortigern at the Council meeting.”
“True, but when he read the letters from Vortigern to Hengist and Colgrin, he broke his alliance with Vortigern. I don’t know if he’ll fight alongside Ambrosius and the rest of us, but he won’t fight against us.”
“And Rheged?” Merlin asked.
“I don’t know,” Uther looked troubled. “It’s the largest kingdom in Britain, and we have to cross it to get to Gwynedd by the date that Ambrosius has set. If we try to go around Rheged, it’ll take nearly two weeks longer, and my soldiers will be exhausted by the time we reach Vortigern’s fortress.
Merlin nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
“Watch over my kingdom, Merlin. You’ll be in charge while I’m away. And if I don’t return from Gwynedd, then you’re to assume the post of regent until Arthur comes of age. As regent, you’ll have full authority to act on my behalf and on Arthur’s behalf until he turns sixteen. I’ll write everything out so there’ll be no doubts about the source of your authority and your responsibilities. For instance, you’ll have to present Caliburn to Arthur on his sixteenth birthday when he’s crowned king, but Ygerna is responsible for all betrothals and marriage contracts related to Arthur and Anna.”
Merlin smiled. “I’ll see to it, Uther, but I’m not worried. You’ll return from Gwynedd victorious as always.”
As winter set in, Ygerna became more and more concerned for her husband. She tried not to show it; she didn’t want to distract Uther. His primary focus was on preparing for the campaign against Vortigern.
Arthur turned five on Christmas Eve. Uther and Ygerna gave him a bearskin cloak to keep him warm during the cold winters. Uther also gave him a small wooden sword.
“Will you teach me to use it, Papa?” Arthur asked, holding the sword gingerly.
Uther laughed. “Of course I will, Son. And my master-at-arms will teach you when I can’t. But there’s something more important that I must teach you.”
“What’s that, Papa?”
“Someday, you’re going to be King of Gododdin – the leader of your people. A leader sets the example and then inspires his men to follow that example. You’ll be that leader when you’re older. Never forget that you’re the example the people of Gododdin will look to.”
“I don’t understand, Papa.” Arthur said, sounding confused.
Uther smiled “You will, son. You will.”
Later that night, when Uther and Ygerna were alone in their bed, Uther pulled her close. “Blessed Christmas, my darling.”
Ygerna wished him a blessed Christmas, but he could tell that something troubled her.
“What is it, Ygerna? You haven’t seemed happy for weeks.”
Ygerna looked away. “Winter’s here, Uther. When spring comes, you’re going to war. But it’s not a war against invaders. You’re going to war against your fellow kings!”