Arthur had requested a private audience with Lord Balinor. He was impatient and worried about Morgana's safety, but he forced himself to wait. Lord Balinor was his best option. To pass the time, Arthur sparred with the castle's youth in the training field, and conversed with two of Lord Balinor's sons; Sir Malcolm and Sir Will, discussing past battles and defense strategies.
He saw Sir Merlin several times, at a distance. Stolen glances were sent Arthur's way that triggered memories of the gaze they'd shared on the tourney field. And that, in turn, caused Arthur to feel unsettled and angry. Sometimes when he felt Sir Merlin look back at him, Arthur looked firmly in the other direction. Once, when Sir Merlin was clearly trying to talk to him, he pretended he hadn't noticed and walked off. Arthur knew it was cowardly and rude, but he told himself it was better this way, that it would avoid awkwardness. He and Sir Merlin could have nothing in common.
By the fifth night, the other guests had all left. Only Arthur dined with Lord Balinor's family, and could finally have his audience. In the great hall, Lord Balinor sat at a table surrounded by his sons; Malcolm, Will, Mordred and Merlin. Their wives and children, if they had them, sat at another table and Lord Balinor's highest-ranking knights were at a third. It was as private as a castle was likely to get, as Arthur knew. It was now or never.
"Sir Arthur Pendragon. Please stand up and name your request." Lord Balinor commanded once they'd finished the second course.
Arthur wiped his fingers carefully on his napkin and stood. He walked to the front of the table, facing the Lord.
"Lord Balinor. I'm very grateful for having a chance to submit my request." Arthur said, loud and clear.
Lord Balinor nodded. "I only met your father, Lord Uther Pendragon, once. He fares well?"
"He fares exceedingly well, thank you."
Lord Balinor waited for Arthur to go on.
"You may know that my half-sister, Lady Morgana, was wed to Lord Cenred of Essetir. That was ten years ago now."
Lord Balinor narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
"We'd received only vague information about her well-being in that time. Then last month we had a visitor from Lord Cenred's castle. He…"
Arthur's voice quivers, and he swallowed. "He spoke of horrible things happened to my sister - beatings, imprisonment, denials of food and water. I'm on my way to Essetir to defend her honor."
Lord Balinor looked thoughtfully at Arthur. "Your father, Lord Uther- is he with you on this matter?"
Arthur spoke coldly. "He had a large debt forgiven by Lord Essetir when he gave Morgana's hand in marriage. He is not interested in repaying it."
Lord Balinor smiled bitterly. "The law regards your sister as her husband's property. Your own father does not support your cause. Yet you expect me to?" His voice was stony and it sent a ripple of shame down Arthur's spine.
"Lord Essetir is our common enemy. I can help you defeat him. I can offer my arm and my shield if you press the matter now. I can-"
Lord Balinor held up a hand, cutting off Arthur. Heat rushed to Arthur's face. His request sounded much less reasonable here in the Great Hall than it had in his head.
"What I may or may not do about Lord Essetir, I will do in my own good time and for my own reasons."
Clearly, this was the end of the discussion. Arthur was bitterly disappointed, but tried to hide his anger.
"I understand, My Lord. Thank you for considering my request. Would you permit me to buy supplies from your castle, and hire a few men? I've never been in Essetir before. I could make good use of a guide."
Lord Balinor opened his mouth to speak. Arthur could see on his face that his answer was not favourable. Before he could say anything, a voice rang out loud and clear from the end of the table.
"I'll go. I've been in Essetir before. I've seen his army in battle and can give advice."
Arthur knew instinctively to whom this voice belonged, even though he had never actually heard it. He felt a hot stirring in his belly as he turned to look at Sir Merlin. He was on his feet, facing his father with stoic determination, his arms clasped behind his back.
"Out of the question," Lord Balinor said dismissively, drinking from his goblet with a frown.
"Father, I know that land better than any of your men," Merlin insisted. "And it's high time we took another look at Lord Essetir's holdings. I'll return with maps, lists of his forces, and-"
Lord Balinor slammed his goblet down and glowered at his youngest son. "I cannot be seen to support this. Sending out my own son-"
"I'll use another name," Merlin said quickly. "And I'll not get near the castle. If I'm caught - and I won't be, you know how slippery I can be - I'll tell no one who I am. You always tell me I need experience. Let me earn it. Please father, let me do this for you."
Lord Balinor looked thoughtful. He...for Heaven's sake, he was considering it! Suddenly Arthur realized it might come to pass. He might be stuck with Sir Merlin Balinor. And as always Arthur spoke before thinking it through.
"With all respect My Lord, I would not want the responsibility of safeguarding your son."
Of course, it was exactly the wrong thing to say. The silence that fell in the hall was deafening, and Arthur could've sworn he could hear the beating of his own heart. Lord Balinor rose slowly to his feet, his face was stormy as a thundercloud.
"My son Merlin," Lord Balinor said stonily, "Is the best archer in five kingdoms. He may not be pick of my loins, but by my honor, he's a knight -and a Balinor!"
Arthur did not dare to look at Sir Merlin, instead he kept his gaze steady on Lord Balinor. "Forgive my rash words, My Lord."
For a long moment, Lord Balinor did not speak. Then one of his sons did for him. "Let the Raven go, father. He needs more dirt on his spurs. And if he can gather intelligence on Essetir, he'll have done something useful for once in his life." Sir Mordred said.
"I am master here. Not one word more on the subject, Mordred!" Lord Balinor barked.
From the corner of his eye, Arthur saw Sir Merlin, remaining standing, determination radiating from him.
"How do you intend to defend your sister's honor without an army?" Lord Balinor asked Arthur coldly.
"Lord Essetir will grant me an audience. I will ask him to release Lady Morgana. If he refuses, I'll challenge him to single combat."
After a short silence Lord Balinor finally came to a decision. "My son, Sir Merlin, will accompany you. I will give you supplies for the journey, but no other men. Merlin will lead you within sight of Essetir's castle and do reconnaissance for me. Merlin you will under no circumstances enter the castle bailey. And if you are caught, you can expect no acknowledgment of blood and no rescue. Is that clear?"
Arthur finally looked at Sir Merlin then. He still stood, arms clasped behind his back, looking at his father. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were alight with excitement. Cursed fool.
"I understand, father. It will not come to that."
"And upon you return, you will wed," Lord Balinor continued. "Lady Kara is besotted with you. Her father has offered me an exceptional dowry. And if not her, you will choose another at once. Do we have a agreement?"
Sir Merlin froze froze for a moment and then took a deep breath. "Yes father."
Lord Balinor waved his hand at Arthur. He was dismissed. He had a feeling Lord Balinor had somehow won that skirmish, Sir Merlin had been fatally wounded, and he himself had been bloody well routed.