Chapter 10 [Nemeth]

Despite the dark's apparent peace, Insecurity unsettled the landscape there as well. Animals scurried from place to place seeking a secure hiding place. Birds sent Panic's missives to one another. Stiff winds burned Spring's emerald leaves streaking the trees with crimsons, yellows and oranges reserved for Autumn's time later in the year. Even the stars seemed to twinkle out of rhythm.

Even Luna herself donned a blood cloak for the occasion lamenting Tragedy's turn in the east. Her pale light washed the entire landscape in a dire backdrop as well.

Some stirred from sleep. Others never got to that point. And another rode frantically toward the citadel.

[Dirt Road—Ten Leagues from Whitgate]

A white steed rushed up the path. His hooves flashed in the rouge light barely touching the ground enough underneath to stir the dirt. His breaths heaved ragged from his chest. Still Duty and Obligation pushed him further for the knight on his back and the kingdom they both served.

The emerald clad rider glanced back over his shoulder. He shivered but not from the chill. His long russet mane stuck to his neck but not from weather. Fear cut through his heart. Alarm pushed him to urge his mount on. Loyalty told him to notify his rulers with due haste. With only a few brief breaks to rest, eat a bite or allow his companion a drink from a stream crossing their way, the knight rushed from Southron territory. He couldn't believe Helios hadn't pursued him knowing the news he bore. He didn't want to believe the size of that army marching toward Camelot….

…an army that could very well turn its sights on Nemeth next….

He struggled to imagine how the Southrons had organized in this fashion. Yes they knew well how to fight. They had excellent skills and trade knowledge. Still their clannishness and internal divisions had split them for generations. They'd fought against each other rather than unify. No leader could unify them…at least not until now.

Who's this Helios? What kind of charisma does he have? His mind spun anew. He tried to piece together the disjointed puzzle in front of himself. Still given Distraction's hold over his thinking, he had little success in that regard. I'll be in Nemeth by sunrise. The King and Council will hear of this then,

He spurred his horse onward once again toward the citadel ahead.

[Mithian's Chamber]

[A/N: Don't look now but it seems Mithian's bond with Merlin runs deeper than even she guessed!]

Mithian tossed and turned in a fitful sleep. Despite the supportive visit from Blancheflor and Britomart, a relaxed slumber eluded her. Tension stiffened her neck and back. Sweat dampened her brow despite the air's relative chill. Her mind spun on its axis faster and faster much like a demented top. Her hands clenched the sheets.

Then her mood eased. Euphoria offered momentary bliss. She relaxed for a few moments feeling as if she were floating above the bed. Her heart beat to Amor's tune. A wanting sigh escaped her lips. Contentment coaxed a smile from her formerly terse mouth. Her hands relinquished their stranglehold on the sheets. She turned onto her back. Even asleep, Instinct urged her to reach forth into the darkness and toward the eastern chamber window…..

….toward the east….toward Camelot and a certain Warlock….

For some reason, she felt his presence close by. Much like after he'd returned the necklace to her, she could almost feel him. Still, after being so tense, she wasn't about to question the feeling. On the contrary, she readily surrendered to Giddiness' charge to her heart. She giggled in her sleep not caring if this was simply a dream or something else. Frankly she didn't care at that point.

Her heart beat in tune with Merlin's. Somehow she knew that.

His heart beat in tune with hers. Somehow she knew that too.

"Merlin? Are you there?" she called out. Her hands reached out in that direction.

Unfortunately Emotion flipped on its side. Whereas Warmth and Amor had lifted her heart to unknown heights, now Pain seared into her brain. A white light startled her. Her eyes snapped open. She sat up in bed. "MERLIN!" Her breaths cascaded from her lips in ragged bursts. Her eyes flitted about the room. Her mind struggled to cope with the unfamiliar emotions besieging it….

…emotions coming from Camelot….

Fear, Alarm and Urgency struck at her from behind the haze. Somehow Merlin, as he always did, was shaking off whatever had attacked him. Loyalty surged through him. Focus directed him. Then an icy burning shot through her jarring her again. One word seemed to echo in his thoughts.

Morgana….

Mithian rubbed her forehead. She tried to assuage the buzzing in her temples. She blinked in a vain effort to reset her sensibilities. What happened? She eased her way out of bed. She almost tip toed across the granite floor as if it were egg shells. She pulled her robe on knowing that its velvet embrace often did comfort her. Alas even that refuge eluded her.

Then the icy burning stabbed through her again. Her limbs contorted. She ground her teeth lest she'd scream and awaken the whole court in the process. What's going on? What's that witch doing to him? I…. She collapsed into her chair and gazed forlornly into the looking glass. What's happening in Camelot? Bloody Hell! Why aren't we closer? Why can't I help? She studied her troubled reflection. If you're lost, Merlin, you can come here! We'll protect you!

Then the glass' image blurred. Its haze formed into a scene…a scene from a familiar chamber to the east….

"Arthur! ARTHUR!" Merlin exclaimed. He caught the sleeping Arthur under the arms. With great effort, he managed to keep the King from hitting the floor.

Gawain braced the door with a few chairs. "That won't keep 'em out for long. You two go! Get him out of here!" He motioned. "Use the back passage!"

"We'll hold them," Percival declared. He nodded to his fellow Knight of the Round Table.

"That's suicide and you know it. We can use your swords," Merlin insisted. He stumbled as quickly as he could across the chamber. "Help me with this wardrobe."

"What the bloody Devil?" Percival ran over to the servant's side. He shoved the wooden furniture piece away to the left to find a door hidden behind it. "That was there?"

"So it seems," Gawain assessed. "We can debate the merits later. Right now there's a party goin' I want no part of."

"That's a change for you," Percival jabbed. He took Arthur's arms. "Get his feet."

"Sure, Percy, let me get the royal stink factories. How big of you." Gawain rolled his eyes. He grabbed the King's feet and helped carry Arthur into the now open passage. "Gaius, comin'?"

"I'll slow you down!" Gaius disagreed. "Go." He looked to Merlin. "I can deal with whatever they do to me. Go with Arthur and protect him. Make sure he's safe."

"You're coming too, Gaius. We'll argue later. Sorry." Merlin's eyes glinted again. He motioned with his head toward the passage.

Gaius staggered. As if pushed by some invisible force, he almost flew across the room and into the passage after the two knights.

Merlin frowned almost as if he'd eaten an extremely sour apple. His ears now heard the Southrons' boots coming up the stairs. He knew they only had a brief time before the invaders reached the chamber door. He staggered toward the chamber door. Once inside the hidden passage, his eyes glowed once more. He moved his hand and closed the door behind himself.

Within seconds, the wardrobe had slid back into place obscuring the escape route in question. The dust disturbed by the movement settled back into its old position….

With that, her view into the chamber faded. The haze blurred things once again. When her eyes cleared, she saw her reflection again. "What? How did I…?" Her heart pounded like a jackhammer. Still she had her answers.

Camelot was under attack from Morgana among others. Arthur was badly hurt. Merlin, despite his own weakness, guided Percival, Gawain and Gaius into a hidden passage to spirit the King away from Danger's fire.

But Confirmation stuck in her mind. Reality had cast aside Merlin's mask.

He used magic. He was a sorcerer….

A bloody sorcerer…..

He has magic. She nodded as Understanding eased her mood. And as always, he's using it for Arthur. Once more, as at the royal court during Merlin's trial, she rolled her eyes. How can he be doing this? How can he use his magic for someone who'd kill him for it? She rolled her eyes at that thought. Because he's Merlin that's why! Quit being such a prat, Mithian! We have to help them. She forced herself from her chair and stumbled across the chamber. She gazed out the window toward the woods. She sighed. You aren't alone, Merlin. We know. We….

She felt Confusion not as strongly as the previous emotions. Still it was there. She could almost feel Merlin looking around….

….looking for her….

He heard me? I…. Mithian blinked incredulously not understanding how that could be.

We all did, Milady, a strange voice declared. It seems your hidden talent finally emerges.

Her eyes darted about. As she'd felt from Merlin, her mind filled with Wonder's numbness. "Where are you? I don't see anyone but I can hear you."

Of course you can. You and I both speak and experience things like this, the curious male voice assured her. If you wish further answers, Princess, please come to the top of the Keep. I keep watch here as always.

Keep watch? How do I know you aren't trying to trap me? You could be Morgana Pendragon's lackey, she doubted.

True. But if you don't, you won't know what you need to about Merlin. Now will you? Now come before I have to alert the court. News approaches, my Lady. I only seek as always to do my duty to King Rodor and you. The way is clear there, the Voice continued.

All right, she relented. Doubt filled her mind. Still Purpose set her steps. She opened the door and stole out into the dimly lit passage. Is there a sorcerer right under our noses? After all this time, he chooses to come out. Why now though? She eased her door shut. Then she pressed on toward the staircase, the aforementioned perch and the rendezvous beyond…..