Aside from perhaps Merlin and Gaius, Artorius may have been the first person to find out about Jenna’s magic. She trusts him with so much due to the nature of their relationship--him being her uncle and one of her closest friends--that he’s often the first person she goes to when she has a nightmare, no matter whether it’s prophetic or not. As she’s grown older, she’s started going to Morgana first--it’s not appropriate for a young woman to be alone with a man, after all, family or no--but she still tells him about her nightmares before she even tells Merlin or either of her parents.
((Edit: ONLY @arthur-rex may reblog this, as it is a headcanon connected to their muse.))
The twin of Camelot’s King--older by seven minutes, but once Arthur and Guinevere had wed, he had chosen to give his brother full right to rule--Prince of the Pendragon line, lauded warrior, commander of the kingdom’s knights and army, beloved by his men and his people just as much as his twin. With the life he led, there was little the man could want for.
And he had a secret. A secret companion, at that.
For quite some time--years, in fact, perhaps close to a decade--a creature of magic had been following him around, keeping him company, hidden from all but himself.
This creature? A tiny, lavender will-o’-the-whisp.
Just a tiny little ball of lavender light, warm as a summer’s day, that floated always just within his reach. The whisp even seemed to have a personality to match its warmth and its light. It spoke to him in a sort of bell-like voice, almost a song with every syllable. When others were near, the whisp darted to hide beneath Artorius’ collar, tinkling with soft laughter, like a mischievous child.
And the whisp protected him--not only from loneliness, but from physical danger as well. For such a small being, this little creature of magic was powerful.
Of course, Artorius’ martial prowess was nothing to scoff at. But there were dangers even he could not fight off on his own.
Dangers such as an attack from behind in the midst of a battle. A cowardly blow that ought to have been a mortal one.
Camlann.
That battle could easily have been Artorius’ last, had it not been for his secret friend.
Laughing in the face of Death, victory had been achieved. The Knights of Camelot set out on their journey home.
But the little whisp grew quiet, seeming almost...anxious.
When asked what was the matter, the whisp nuzzled up against Artorius’ cheek. “I must leave you now, Artie,” the little creature whispered. After years of constant companionship, the will-o’-the-whisp was leaving his side. “But worry not. We’ll meet again soon. No more than a year from now, for certain.”
And the whisp was gone.
Some months after the victory at Camlann, an announcement was made that the Queen was with child.
Half a year and a day from then, the new Heir was born: a beautiful baby girl, already with a full head of dark curls, bright green eyes, and a bell-like, pealing giggle.
Jenna Uther Pendragon.
Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but there was a brief flash of gold in the infant princess’ green eyes when she beheld her uncle for the first time. Upon being carefully handed to Artorius, little Jenna nuzzled into his shoulder and promptly fell asleep, calm and content as though she knew without a doubt that he would keep her safe.
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Just a little ficlet inspired by a headcanon I came up with earlier today.
The idea of platonic soulmates has always been of interest to me, and the thought that Jenna and her uncle Artorius could be soulmates in that way just felt right. As did her being a little will-o’-the-whisp protecting him prior to her conception.
((Please do not reblog unless you are the person tagged above. Thank you.))
