Survey [Divides Crossed 16]

DJ Dubois

June-July 2018

Rating: T (Teen)

Notes: This is the sixteenth installment of the "Divides Crossed" series. Merlin and his cohorts (this version at least) belong to the BBC and Scyfy. Britomart is from Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene. Ywain and Malodius are from Chretien de Troyes' Yvain: Knight of the Lion. Blancheflor is from Chretien's Perceval: Knight of the Grail. Cligés and Soredamors are from Chretien's Cligés. Josiane and Boeve are adapted from the Boeve de Haumtone. Please send comments to dante0220 . Chapter 1 [Nemeth—Merlin and Mithian's Bedchamber; Same Time as End of "Redemption"] Sol streamed his light through the windows. The dust laden beams danced about the chamber gleaming off of oak furnishings and sparkling on a few glass surfaces. The air warmed from Nocturne's cool touch. It stirred the household staff and officials alike… …some it seemed faster than others….. ****

Merlin dozed in the four post bed. He practically sank into the feather mattress. The sheets and quilt cradled him. He felt as if he floated on the clouds themselves. And that wasn't the counting his Princess sleeping right next to him. An almost sloppy grin spread across his face. He dreamt of lush places and vistas. Perfection was the order of things….

…that is until she started snoring….

His eyes squinted open. His mouth curled into a frown. His brain struggled to piece together Bliss' shattered expanse. He blinked. His eyes practically bored into the ceiling. Now? Really? He knew that said-snoring bouts tended to carry on for a while. He glanced over at his chestnut haired muse. And she doesn't believe she snores? He sighed. Slowly and carefully he eased his way out of bed. He pulled on his robe. Might as well get some work done. He crept across the oaken floor toward the desk by the south window.

On said desk's right side, a steaming wooden cup awaited him.

Jocelyn's been busy. He smiled before taking a sip from the cup. He considered how the newest servant in Rodor's household had grown by leaps and bounds. He'd worked with her at every opportunity on "servant basics". He watched her confidence increase and performance shine. Everyone deserves a chance. She wants to please Mithian and me. Jocelyn's doing that. He gazed out the window to the east. Much as Gwen and I did in Camelot all of those years ago. Arthur may be a prat but he did give me my chance. He took a moody draught from his herbal tea. She certainly has that figured out. He reflected on the day's events. He knew Rodor would want to meet with the council in short order. He wanted to spar with Gawain and the knights. There was the hearing for the subjects' concerns.

If only there was time for a honeymoon. It had already been delayed for a month and would seem to be more. Issues mounted. Concerns barged in. After the sorceress' attack, a guard always stood close by. There were no clandestine horse rides. He couldn't give her the desired picnic or hunt for her sake. He had to even watch out in the garden.

Can't we get some time to ourselves? He chased that thought with another moody draught.

That is part of our duty, Merlin. Mithian hugged him from behind. Good morning, my Prince.

Good morning. He stole a kiss off of her arm. "Jocelyn makes good tea."

She nodded. "She does. I enjoyed her peppermint tea last week. I told Father she was improving." She sampled some of his drink. "Ginger and blackberry? Creative."

"It soothes the nerves and stomach. Certain noises have me on edge," he noted with a teasing barb at the end.

She rolled her eyes. "I don't snore, Merlin."

He coughed. "Did I say you did? I just said 'certain noises'. Maybe someone has a guilty conscience?"

"Maybe someone has a vivid imagination? Don't push it." She headed for the dressing screen. "Meantime we do have that meeting at half chimes."

Yeah that. He finished the tea. Then he headed for the wardrobe.

Duty it seemed never let up….