Chapter 9 [Melee Practice Area]
Even as Resolution worked its wonders for his companions, Boeve brooded in the sparring area. Anger and Indignation propelled his blade in a blur through the air. Metallic thuds struck at a padded post. His eyes narrowed. He sulked. Honor demanded redress. I wait years to see my Josiane again. And then her brother has to start in on her? He tensed while hearing a branch snap to his left.
Off to the side, several pages quivered. On Galahad's orders, they had shields and stood ready to serve as battering dummies so to speak. None of them really wanted to end up in the Physicians' Chambers to be honest.
They have issues with each other. I understand that. Still, after what that bastard, Alys, did to us, Josiane deserves the same consideration she was trying to give to Cligés! They are of the same blood. It wasn't their mother's fault. Like she really had a choice? He knew the story of course. Each has a perspective. Still to accuse her like that? He bowed his head.
"Sometimes it isn't as easy as it seems to keep everyone happy. I try."
Boeve glanced over his left shoulder. He immediately bowed. "Prince Merlin! I'm sorry. I didn't…"
"I'm close but please don't bow. Not yet. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm still a servant or a noble. I guess I can be a friend. Maybe that will work?" Merlin supposed. "Just don't swing the sword at me. You were beating up on that pretty hard." He held a goblet of water out to the other man.
Boeve nodded and sheathed his blade. "You never change, Your Highness." He bowed and then accepted the goblet. "Even after you're made a nobleman, marry the worthy Princess Mithian and become Crown Prince, you still wait on people." He saluted his host. "You are a worthy friend indeed."
"I wish I was worthy of that. I'll keep trying though," Merlin deflected. He squirmed in discomfort.
"You do that. If everyone would try half as hard as you, this would be Paradise on Earth." Boeve complimented. He savored the cold refreshment whetting Thirst's arid hold on his mouth and throat. "As much as with Cligés, his father and uncle, they should follow your example." He sniffed.
Merlin shrugged. Humility and Unworthiness deflected that praise from him as well. "I make plenty of mistakes. I've also learned a lot from everyone. Sadly I have to hide a great deal too. I couldn't have my father's mantle before now. Your brother's men harassed Josiane in Camelot. We, her friends, set an example when the other nobles and members of the court did not. They tried to take all but a sack cloth from her. We didn't let it happen."
Boeve set the goblet down hard. "Edgar will not stop. He calls me a traitor. He takes my land. And now he targets my heart." He sniffed. "How do you do it, Merlin? How do you fight for Princess Mithian's love?"
"She fights for me. She makes me believe I'm worthy. If I think otherwise, she'll let me know about it," Merlin praised his fiancée.
As I will right now, my Prince, Mithian interjected right on cue.
"You stood up to your former King," Boeve reminded him.
"I wish I hadn't had to. King Arthur played the double standard. I met the standards. I should have had the rank. Soon though it'll all be behind us." Merlin clasped his guest's hand. "I can't wait for next week. Maybe you can ask King Rodor? I'm sure he'll marry you both."
"I shall indeed. And…" Merlin turned to find Cligés and Fenice watching them. "I believe there's a document Princess Mithian needs me to sign."
"You should get back to your affairs, Good Prince." Boeve bowed to him. "I will endeavor to hear our fellow knight's reply with a fair ear. I assure you."
"Do that." Merlin walked over to the couple. "You heard him, Sir Cligés. If you could do me a favor? Please repay his fair ear with one of your own. Your business is your own. Still I want you both to hear each other out. Can you do that much for me?"
"He will, Prince Merlin. Thank you," she assured him.
Cligés bristled. He felt her hand rest on his shoulder. Her eyes implored on Reason's behalf for him to listen. "For Mother's sake." He bowed to Merlin. "Prince Merlin."
I'm not Prince yet. Why? Merlin complained to himself. Then he turned back to the duo. "Remember. King Uther massacred my kind. He drove my father into hiding. He nearly wiped out the dragons and other magical creatures. And yet, I served him and Camelot. I served for the Greater Good's sake! Maybe you might think of something in that?" He smiled. Then he departed.
"There's wisdom in his words, Cligés. Perhaps you might want to heed them?" Boeve considered the other knight. "We should be brothers-in-law instead of spitting across this practice field. Meleagant and your Uncle Alys are our common enemies not ourselves!"
"Tell my sister to stop insulting my father then! The Emperor did his duty! He left her with her life!" Cligés snapped.
"A vagabond's life running from Alys and his hordes is a hard life. Josiane deserves her title as much as you! You both worship as you will. I wouldn't force anything on her. She won't on me. If and when we're blessed with children then we'll see for their sake. They will need you as well…again if we're so blessed." Boeve shook his head. "You spit on her. Despite that, Josiane tries to see past her own hate. Didn't you hear her in the garden? She tries to separate you from them, Cligés. She prayed for your sake. Doesn't that mean anything to you? She just wants her mother, you, your lady and me together. She's not asking you to apologize for your father's actions either way. She's not trying to come between your mother and you. She's not demanding your conversion. She wants you to see her for her."
"Cligés, please. Let's try. Please?" Fenice requested. "She is your sister. You heard Sir Boeve. She shouldn't have to be alone any more. My father disavows me. Your Uncle hunts you. When will it be enough?" She hugged him. "My Love, I beg you. We have a family that wants us. We will still follow Him."
"As long as we follow." Cligés murmured Fenice's words echoing them a few times. Much as Spring's warmth striking the icy stretch, Logic scoured away Hate. Realization relaxed him. He gulped down the water and set the goblet down hard. "Sir Boeve?"
"Aye?" Boeve tensed not sure if he would be talking or drawing his blade next.
"Is that hand still outstretched?" Cligés asked. Hesitation slowly eased his own hand forward.
Boeve seized onto the other's hand and arm. Then he embraced his comrade. "And more." He sighed. Thank you! he expressed to the goddess. "When you're ready, you can go to her."
"I'd like to go now. Josiane should hear this presently. I still have my feelings. I want to try."
"As she does for you," Boeve reiterated. "We…" He noticed Gawain leading Soredamors and Josiane into the yard. "It seems she found you." He stepped to the left allowing the younger man a clear path. He motioned toward the newcomers.
Cligés bowed his head. He murmured a low prayer. Then he inhaled deeply. Purpose propelled his strides across the grass toward the others. He stopped about two steps shy of them.
"Don't start anything. Josiane has something she wants to say," Gawain told him tersely.
"Uncle Gawain, I…wanted to say something first." Cligés inhaled deeply again. "Josiane, I…" Contrition flooded his eyes with tears. He quivered and shook. "I'm sorry. I just know what my father told me. I…." He fell to his knees.
Josiane closed her eyes. Goal eased her burden and dissipated before Apology's plea. "We were both angry, Cligés. Maybe we should judge each other by our own actions? I was going to tell you that we can try to work together. Then if you want to leave, you could. Now I want to be your friend."
"I don't want that…" Cligés disagreed. "I deserve that. I know I need to prove myself to you. But I want more."
"Pardon me? More? I don't have wealth or land or anything! I…" Josiane protested.
Cligés shook his head. "NO! That's not what I'm talking about!" He undid the clasp on his fine white cloak. "I don't want those things. I just want to give to you." He held the cloak out in front of himself. "Turn around. Please?"
Josiane's eyes went wide. She looked toward Boeve who nodded. "I don't need presents. Your apology's fine."
Soredamors wiped Joy's tears from her cheeks. "That's not what he means. Tell her, Cligés." Anticipation threatened to stop her heart and seize her lungs.
"I want to try and be your brother. You've lost enough. Maybe I can clothe you? Instead of taking, I can give something back?" Cligés offered.
Josiane trembled. Her hands covered her mouth. Relief lightened her mind. "I'd like that…too. Just do it from the front? I want to watch you." Her mouth relaxed into a smile.
"All right." Cligés pulled the cloak around her shoulders. Then he secured the clasp. "There!" He bowed slightly at the waist.
"It is very nice. Thank you," Josiane embraced him. "Just hold me please? No swords, hurtful intents or harmful words?"
"Just love, Sister."
The siblings grasped onto each other. For several heartbeats, they shared mutual warmth. Peace made initial inroads at least and perhaps more.
"Another miracle, Sorie," Gawain remarked.
"Aye." Soredamors hugged her brother as well. "After so long, we found each other again. They've discovered each other."
"YEAH!" Gawain raised his hands. "I think we need some CELEBRATION! LET'S GO!"
The group chuckled and laughed. They followed him back into the castle trusting that his nose would know the way to the nearest wine cask.
Merlin stepped out of the shadows. Satisfaction spread a warm grin across his face. "Live it up." His eyes twinkled.
"You are devious, my Prince," Mithian teased. She leaned against the portal's left edge.
"I planted the idea. They did the rest. I just followed your father's example," he told her.
"He'll be happy to hear that." She squeezed his arm. "Nevertheless, you sell yourself short again. Not even Prince yet officially as some servant or other likes to say and you help to put a family on the way to healing."
"Mithian, I just did what any good person would do. Those two shouldn't be at war with each other," he deflected.
"Oh I agree. Not many though would forge a peace or guide it as smoothly as you just did. Father will be pleased." Her lips brushed Appreciation's balm upon his cheek.
"I just want people to be happy, Mithian," he insisted. Still Elation did warm his heart.
"As long as you share in some of those spoils, Merlin. Now let's find them before Sir Gawain gets too industrious," she affirmed.
He coughed and followed her lead out of the yard. Funny that he did so, his feet didn't even feel the ground as they tread across it.