Chapter 10 [Whitgate—Gardens]

Arthur followed Gwen through the enclosed gardens. His mind remained torn about his surroundings. Admiration warmed his thinking toward the rows of flowers and plants. He understood immediately the magnitude of the dome's wonder overhead. Even if he wasn't into the flowers par se, their scents and beauty calmed him. He knew Gwen enjoyed herself there. Serenity almost made him forget everything beyond the granite enclosed area and glass roof.

Almost….

He frowned. His mind wouldn't stop brooding over his subjects' need. He could see that Merlin and Mithian were dealing with the regency's burden. He guessed Morgana was plotting to some end or other despite her supposed redemption. Meleagant more than likely was behind his imprisonment. He chafed over the triple goddess' attitude. He imagined her in league with the Sorceress. Despite the wonders about himself, his attitude remained negative toward magic in general. Can't Merlin see that magic is evil?

Gwen sniffed a lilac. The gentle aroma filled her nostrils. She allowed herself a smile. "Isn't this wonderful, Arthur?" She inhaled a deep breath taking in as many of the scents about them.

"I suppose, Gwen. It is very beautiful. However Merlin and the others raised that roof and made everything grow is truly something to behold. I can see why you like it," he conceded. He did his best to keep a neutral expression on his face.

Still she knew him better than that. Euphoria deflated like a leaky balloon. "And yet you can't enjoy it? Arthur, so what if magic brought this all about? Not all magic is evil." She rolled her eyes. "I thought we were past this."

"Gwen, you're so taken with this. Aye it's a wonderful accomplishment. Still don't you see the power behind it?" He sighed deeply.

"I can. Merlin has always helped us with his magic. We just didn't know it. How many times do we owe him our lives? He's not out to enslave us!"

"Merlin couldn't do that. He's struggling with his new responsibilities. Mithian has her hands full guiding him around like a bull with a ring in his nose. So he dabbles in magic? He's not able to raise this dome by himself." He shook his head.

She ground her teeth. "What is it with you? Can't…?" Frustration cut her response short. She noticed Lancelot entering with Lady Elaine. "Lancelot! Elaine!" She waved them over.

"Gwen, we were talking…." Arthur protested.

"They may have something to add." Gwen turned toward the approaching couple. "How's your day going?"

"This place eases my spirit, Gwen. Thank you," Lancelot noted. "I can't get over the beauty here. It's a good thing that Merlin can be open about his magic at last. He and I both can love our ladies. We have our companions here. Arthur is safely back with us." He bowed to his former sovereign. "The fact that you're happy is a bonus."

"Everyone save the old greybeards are happier since Prince Merlin came to Whitgate." Elaine kept her eyes away from Arthur. She remembered him from the day of her greatest nightmare. She could still see him standing in stone silence as Uther ordered her mother's execution. "I can hope that attitudes change." She shuddered.

"Elaine, what is it?" Lancelot wondered. He turned to her. "What's wrong?"

Elaine bowed her head. "It's nothing, Lancelot. I'm sorry. I won't ruin the day with my troubles. Our guests' happiness is our paramount concern."

"But being good guests means we respect our hosts," Gwen disagreed. She rubbed her forehead.

"What have we done? Lady, how have I wronged you in the previous two days?" Arthur threw his hands up. Exasperation raised his voice.

"It isn't just now, King Arthur. It's what happened before! You do remember what your father did? Some of us will never forget!" Elaine sobbed. She slumped under Gardenia's protective canopy. Tears streaked her face.

"Forget what? Father did his best to keep peace with King Rodor and Nemeth. Camelot even protected this place from Cawdor! We…." Arthur started.

Elaine turned pale. Her eyes narrowed. Anger blazed in her eyes. "YOUR FATHER CAUSED MY MOTHER'S DEATH! KING RODOR HAD NO CHOICE! IT WAS THE KINGDOM OR HER AND HER KIND! THEY DIED ON THE PYRE OUTSIDE! AND WHY? BECAUSE OF UTHER'S HATE! I WATCHED HER DIE! AND THEN I ENDURED MY FATHER'S ABUSE! BECAUSE OF THAT HATE AND PREJUDICE! SHE WAS A GOOD WOMAN! SHE USED HER MAGIC TO HEAL OTHERS! CAN'T YOU STOP? NOT EVERYONE WITH MAGIC IS EVIL!" She grabbed onto Lancelot and buried her face in her chest.

"Arthur, whatever you're going to say, please don't," Lancelot requested. He held his wife closely against himself. "I'm sorry."

"It's not you. It's him! Even with everything around him being so beautiful…even when everyone risked their lives to free him….even when his own mother gave her life to allow him to be born, HE CAN'T STOP! How Prince Merlin could be so loyal to someone who'd kill him is beyond me!" Elaine lamented.

"I wouldn't have killed him. Exiled him perhaps. But…." Arthur denied. "There are laws and rules."

"You mean prejudice! I can't…! I just can't deal with this!" Elaine stomped her foot on the stones underfoot. She shuddered. Her eyes glowed canary yellow.

Without warning, lily petals and white rose petals rained down from above. Much like a blizzard they covered everything around the quartet.

"Now look what you've made me do! I…I…" Elaine shook her head. Then before she said anything else, she turned and rushed away.

"Elaine! ELAINE!" Lancelot looked to his friends. Then he turned toward the passage where Elaine had rushed into. "Gwen, talk to him. I have to see to her."

"Go after her. I'm sorry, Lancelot. We can speak later," Gwen assured him. After Lancelot had departed, she wheeled on Arthur. "This has to stop, Arthur! It can't go on! Your father's dead! We don't have our kingdom! We have to at least co-exist!" She hissed out a sharp breath. "We want everyone to accept our marriage and my standing. However you aren't willing to change when others need us to? When they want to use their gifts for peaceful purposes?"

"Gwen, she can't even control herself. Look at this!" Arthur brushed the petals from his tunic and out of his hair.

"Arthur, she was upset. She needs to work on her control. Still imagine what Morgana or Morgause would've done in that situation? She didn't hurt anyone. She's working through the trauma from her mother's death and a lifetime of abuse from her father because of her magic. She wants to help. So has Merlin. So do others who happen to be our friends. There are those who abuse magic for their own ends. Can't you see the difference? PLEASE!" She shook her head.

Before she could continue, a Nemeth knight rushed toward them. "King Arthur! Queen Guinevere!" He bowed. "Some of your knights are with our patrol. They wish to see you."

"There now. Cooperation is a vital thing. Now isn't it?" She nodded to the knight. "Take us to them. Thank you."

Feeling glad for the interruption, Arthur followed without argument. He still remained unconvinced. However he wanted to deal with his knights rather than deal with bigger issues beyond his control.

What he was about to discover would shock him…..