Part Two

Mithian reached behind her head, removing her pearl hair comb and placing it on the vanity.

She pulled her dark, slightly curled hair over her shoulder and reached for the hairbrush. The princess hummed to fill the silence, sitting in front of the vanity and brushing her hair. She'd given her maid the night off to be with her family and was more than capable of preparing herself for bed. If she could master a crossbow then undressing and putting on her white, floral embroidered nightdress was a minuscule task.

The day had gone well. Her only regret was spending so little time with had his duties as she had her own. When he wasn't with Arthur he would be away in his tower experimenting with new spells or communicating with other sorcerers. Being the wife of the great Emrys was far from easy. Everyone demanded so much of his time, and there were moments when she wondered where she fit into his life. Mithian wondered if she was selfish for not wanting to share her husband with the world.

The princess was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Merlin enter the chambers. She didn't notice his presence until she felt the familiar caress of his lips against her neck. Mithian smiled and leaned back against him as his arms encircled her light scruff of his beard brushed against her delicate skin, and she breathed in his comforting scent. He smelled of earth, smoke and something that was uniquely him. She gently pushed his arms away and turned around on the cushioned stool. Then she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him tenderly. They broke apart momentarily, and he lifted her up from the stool, making her level with him. He pulled her into his arms and captured her mouth, passion increasing with every kiss. It felt like ages since they'd been together like this.

Her breath was warm and sweet when she sighed into his mouth. It ignited the glimmer of gold that shone beneath his dark, fluttering eyelashes. Her nightdress magically fell away from her slender frame, pooling at her feet on the stone floor. Her lips never left his as she pushed his dark blue robes off his shoulders. He let it slide off his arms and fall away. When they briefly parted Merlin pulled his tunic over his head and carelessly tossed it aside before claiming her mouth again. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her towards the bed. He laid her down on the bed and climbed atop, straddling her.

He leaned down, burying his face in the curve of her neck and inhaling the sweet scent of lavender. She murmured in approval as he pressed kisses along her throat before venturing towards the valley between her breasts. Her slender fingers tangled in his soft, raven hair as he kissed the tender mounds of flesh. His lips and hands journeyed further, caressing every dip and curve of her body. Her sighs and moans caused an unfurling heat to burn deep in his belly. His teasing touch and lingering caresses were not enough to sate the growing need they both felt. When they became one the pulsing warmth of their joined bodies was like fire to their blood.

Mithian rest her head against Merlin's chest, smiling as he leisurely rubbed her back in a soothing circular pattern. They lay tangled in the white sheets as the morning sun shed its golden rays through the window across the room. She wished they could stay like this, enjoying their peaceful, little bubble of time. However she knew his responsibilities to Camelot and the fledgling union between the five kingdoms would lure him away again. Mithian was proud of what he and Arthur had accomplished thus far. She was grateful to work beside Gwen and help do her part in whatever way she was able. Yet she wasn't ready to let him go. She needed to speak of her heart's burdens with the precious time that was available to her.

"Will this be another busy day?" she asked, lifting her head and gazing up at him expectantly.

"Everyday is busy," he replied with a little laugh, idly brushing her frizzled hair away from her face. "I have more to do now than I did when I was a servant."

She looked away, hoping her expression remained neutral and didn`t convey how dejected she felt. "I know."

He cupped her chin in his hand, making her look at him. His ocean blue eyes gazed lovingly into her gentle brown ones. "I haven't been spending much time with you lately, and I'm sorry for that."

"It's fine," she lied, forcing a smile. "Besides, Gwen`s birthday is coming up, and I know how hopeless Arthur is when it comes to such things."

Merlin laughed, making her smile genuine this time. "He`s complete rubbish at it. Don't tell him I said that."

She snorted at his comment. "Gwen already knows who the real mastermind is."

"Speaking of Gwen, what should we give her for her birthday?" he asked with a smile, turning to look at Mithian and lacing his fingers with hers.

"It should be something she truly needs...a nursemaid," she replied, smiling down at their joined hands. "Hunith would be excellent. Besides, you've always wanted her to move here."

Merlin stared off into the distance, quietly pondering her words before responding. "I know she'll be happy to do it."

"That's good. What else is on your list of things to do?"

"Nothing, because I'm going to spend the rest of my day with you."

The brightness of her smile shone in her eyes when she looked at him. "I`d like that."

Gwen leaned forward, inhaling the rich scent of the roses and lilies in the red vase that was placed in front of her on the table. Knowing that Arthur remembered her favorite flowers brought a smile to her lips. Little Calan had finally fallen asleep, giving Gwen some much needed rest. She glanced around the banquet hall, noticing how the floral garland was wound around the columns and hanging from the tables. All her friends were seated near her at the main table in the front , and the other guests were placed at the tables across the room. Arthur sat next to her and was immersed in conversation with Queen Annis. Merlin and Mithian were seated across from her.

The candlelight shrouded the princess in an ethereal glow as she reached for her goblet, smiling secretively. The couple had been curiously quiet this evening. This wasn't uncommon for Mithian, but it was highly unusual for Merlin. He'd normally be prattling away about his latest spell or trying to tease Arthur. The court sorcerer hadn`t stopped beaming since Gwen had entered the banquet hall. He'd barely touched any of the food on his plate.

"What are you planning?" the queen asked with a knowing look.

"Nothing," Merlin replied a bit too quickly, feigning innocence.

She laughed. "I know you too well. You're definitely up to something."

"Me?" he asked, waving a hand dismissively. "What makes you say that?"

Mithian ruined her seemingly perfect image of elegance with an unladylike snort. This didn't go unnoticed by the ever observant Gwen.

"You're always scheming," the queen reasoned.

"You might as well come out with it," Mithian advised, noting that her husband and best friend had reached an impasse.

"Your last gift is here now," he explained. His smile was bright enough to light up the world, and the warmth of it shone in his breathtaking blue eyes. Merlin excused himself and rose from his chair, exciting the banquet hall.

Gwen didn't know what to expect from Merlin. He could be so unpredictable at times. However she never dared to think that King Odin would storm into the banquet hall, nearly toppling a startled Hunith and a furious Merlin. The room was filled with an electrifying tension the moment all eyes focused on the unwelcome visitor. The queen acted on instinct and reached out, placing her hand atop her husband`s. She turned to look at him, noticing how his jaw clenched and the way his hands tightly gripped the chair`s handles.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Arthur said darkly.

"I thought we were allies," Odin replied tauntingly, giving Merlin a dirty look when he walked past him and led his mother to a chair. The older king strode towards the floor's center, stopping in front of the table where the sovereigns were seated.

"I found out through secondhand sources that today is the queen`s wasn't I invited?"

Gwen was a bundle of nerves inside, but she retained her composure and swiftly intervened.

"You know very well why you weren't invited."

"Don't ruin such a special day by..." Merlin began.

"I don`t need lecturing from a nameless bastard," Odin interrupted, dark eyes hardening with hate when he looked at him.

"If titles were all that made men noble then I would agree," he replied, gazing straight into the older man's eyes. "However you are the greatest ass if not the best king."

The uproar of laughter and hearty applause filled the banquet hall. The queen looked away and placed a hand over her mouth, stifling laughter. Any attempt at chastisement would be half hearted. After all Odin had done to her husband and Mithian`s kingdom she couldn't bring herself to care.

"How dare you?" the king cried in outrage, spittle flying from his mouth and wetting his dark beard. His eyes were blown wide, and his face reddened with anger. His gaze shifted to Arthur

whose lips were tilted upward in a smile.

"He should be punished for his impertinence!"

"Merlin is my court sorcerer and greatest friend. He is always welcome to speak freely."

The older king's gaze drifted to Gwen and then towards Merlin.

"This is what becomes of a kingdom when bastards become nobles and serving wenches become queens!"

"Get out!" Arthur shouted. "I showed you mercy once. Don't make me regret my decision."

Odin still felt the sting of humiliation as the double doors were shut behind him. In truth he had no one to blame but himself for his tarnished reputation. However human nature always causes a person to view themselves as the victim in most disgraced king was no different in this regard.

Many allies had withdrawn their support after his dealings with the doomed high priestess, and his kingdom suffered for it. The loss of his only child had been painful enough, but seeing his kingdom a hair's breadth away from crumbling at his feet nearly cut him to the quick. He was now at his wits' end. His wife had long since passed, and his kingdom lie on the brink of ruin without an heir to the throne.

His attempts at claiming Nemeth as a spoil of war came to naught. In the end he should've foreseen this, considering Camelot' s reputation as a formidable foe. Yet he had refused to relinquish his claims without a fight. Now he was a husk of a man, and age was slowly creeping up on him.

Odin couldn't have cared less about Gwen's birthday. He certainly hadn't expected to be welcomed either. He had come for her...Mithian. He'd desired Mithian from the moment he saw her kneeling beside King Rodor in the throne room. Her beautifully formed breasts were exposed to his lustful gaze due to the plunging neckline of her olive green dress. The glimmer of defiance in her otherwise gentle brown eyes only added to her appeal. This imagery was etched into his mind and further fueled the growing lust he had yet to act upon.

In his eyes Merlin was nothing more than a pretender. It was disgraceful for a beautiful, highborn lady like Mithian to be wasted on that bastard son of a peasant. Her rejection of him, and the knowledge that she'd chosen a lowly man added to his increasing humiliation. Yet he wouldn't be denied. He was named after a god, and he would conquer like one.