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Indeed Sherri Mithian behaves the way she believes that all royals behave but Gwen's support system understand her best and know when all is not right. It always helps to have relationships in that way.
After the initial shock had settled in, it went into an all-out verbal affray with some accusing others of not keeping a careful eye on the Queen's movements and warning that the King was certain to punish those persons if anything happened to her. At that moment Gwaine reflected on his own failed promise to Arthur. If anything were to happen, forget about the consequences, how could he face Arthur ever again?
"Enough!" The small gathering immediately went quiet and all eyes turned to him. "It doesn't serve much purpose for us to be quarrelling amongst ourselves. We must go about finding the Queen at the earliest."
They all agreed and awaited his further instructions.
"Fabian you will join myself and some of the knights in the search outside of the castle walls. Lady Amelia where is Lady Ellen at the moment?"
"She and a few of the guards are searching the castle. …I'm so terrified for the Queen Sir Gwaine. This is so unlike her to go off without a word to anyone," she ended solemnly clutching her cloak.
The once heavy downpour had ebbed into a steady drizzle. Gwaine eyes regarded hers sensing his own fear just beneath the surface.
"She will be found and returned safely to us."
I'm so glad you came.
The sarcasm in Exon's tone vexed her greatly. "Do you understand the risk that I'm taking in being here? The Queen doesn't just go off…"
So now you've come to accept your new role.
"You've forced me to accept it!" Mithian shouted clinching her fists. "You have placed me in such an impossible situation."
It is what I do. Finding the most viable arrangement for achieving your goal. If you cannot sort out your qualms then it most certainly can be undone.
"Of course I want to carry on. I've come too far; given up so much of myself…"
Given up so much of your supposed family.
"It's none of your concern!"
Must I remind you that it was you who wished this upon yourself?! When things become unpleasant you must learn how to cope instead of behaving irrationally.
"Point taken," Mithian replied more calmly. "Shall we proceed? The hour is late."
Have you brought what I've required of you?
"I've brought it but I require something of you as well."
You always seem to require something of me. I could take it from you.
"You could but of course you won't. It must be freely given from my part; since it was obtained by my hands."
You are quite the observant one.
"I've also been observing that Guinevere is still alive."
As so it must be for the time being. What is it you require of me?
"I want to see King Arthur."
Have you taken into account where he is and that he may be in the midst of a battle? In so many ways you lack the required patience.
"It's important to create a new connection."
Or do you really mean recreating old bonds. Your plans mean nothing to me; once there your eagerness is sure to cause your downfall.
Mithian chuckled at the retort. "Has our partnership fallen apart so quickly that you wish harm upon me? Do your worst but of course you will not. You could not do what you gave me the power to do because it was through human hands that the deed was accomplished – only through my hands… King Arthur and I .safe."
Agreed Princess. A bargain was arranged.
"And must be honored. My title is Queen Mithian."
Agreed Queen Mithian.
"Now do what you must to take me to King Arthur."
But first I need the heart of Queen Marion.
It all came together; the alliances, the strategic planning, and the tactical maneuverings proved pivotal in bringing about a resounding victory for Arthur and his contemporaries. As for King Odin and his army, many lay either dead or dying, a few captured while others fled to the safety of the surrounding forests and that included King Odin much to Arthur's consternation.
Excalibur cut down more enemies than his ten fingers or toes could account for and yet he too sustained a long gash across his right thigh. The wound hardly hinder his movements but upon his return to camp the field attendants took great care to sanitize the wound and dress it accordingly. Once healed another battle scar would join the others dotted along his skin.
The scent of sweat, blood and death permeated the air. Hard for the mind to escape the cries and groans of others who fared worse off. The men traversed back and forth between the campsite and the battleground returning the wounded and the dead.
"Sire what can we really offer him?" Elyan questioned. "Especially now that he's close to death."
One of Odin's high ranking commanders had been captured. They believed King Odin to be holdup somewhere within the surrounding area. Arthur desperately wanted to flush him out. A living Odin meant no lasting peace for Camelot and its other allies.
"An honourable death. King Odin must be found…"
"And we will find him by our own means. I'm already organizing a search. …May I ask that you remain here Sire?"
"But I am recovered." Arthur stood up abruptly from his seated position and winced.
"Not to anyone's satisfaction." Elyan folded his arms.
"Elyan what I'm feeling at the moment is of little consequence. I've endured far worse maladies…"
"Your Majesty you've already proven yourself worthy…allow us some glory," Elyan teased smacking his arm.
Arthur returned a smile. "Alright but if you fail to return within a certain hour…"
"Then you may come and find us." Elyan bowed before withdrawing.
Arthur understood Elyan needed him to take a respite but didn't they all? He still felt that rush of adrenaline and it aided in keeping his fear at bay. For the most part the men left him alone only providing updates or seeking clarification on certain matters. He sat staring out at the river for a time getting lost in its hue. Predictably his thoughts drifted back to his beloved. He dreaded being away from her. Deep within his heart he sensed that something was horribly wrong. A persistent prodding that wasn't easily dismissed. He beseeched his conscious to trust in Gwaine. Fairly soon he and his contingent would be leaving for home. Fairly soon...
"Arthur…" That familiar tone caused him to spin around to an amazing, wonderful sight.
"Guinevere? How…"
Before he spoke any further, Mithian rushed into his arms, pressing her lips against his in an engaging kiss. Even though the shock of seeing her remained, he preferred to live in the moment; lowering his eyelids, enfolding her in his arms, tightening his embrace but then quite suddenly he heard a small voice from inside his conscious whisper…Arthur. Something was definitely off – her touch, her kiss, her scent – all were so unlike his Guinevere. He eased away from her; his eyes carefully scrutinized her face. Was the woman standing in front of him truly his Guinevere? Why did his heart question? Never before had he experienced these sorts of misgivings. Alarm bells were going off loudly in his mind.
When Mithian attempted to embrace him again; Arthur kept her at arms' length. "Don't…"
"Arthur?" Mithian wasn't quite sure what to make of his sudden mood change.
"You shouldn't be here. Didn't we make an arrangement?" His tone succinct. Confusion clouded his thoughts.
Mithian's brain scrambled for an appropriate response. "Certainly but I missed you terribly."
"And I've missed you but this is no place for a Queen of Camelot. Look around…" Her eyes followed his gaze. The camp littered with exhausted and battle weary men. Her eyes connected with some of them who bowed their heads in greeting. "The stench of the battle yet lingers in the air and it will not go away until we leave."
"A Queen's place is by her husband's side." She reached out to him but he moved away. "Arthur I don't deserve this sort of treatment. Why are you behaving so callously towards me? Displaying such heartless behaviour in front of those who shouldn't be privy to our private disagreements." Indeed the men remained as quiet as possible. Unsure of what to make of the scene being played out in front of them.
Arthur believed this had gone on long enough. "I'm not sure who you are but you're not my wife. You're not the Queen!"
Mithian's mouth fell open; eyes opened wide in fear. "Arthur?! What are you saying? Has this battle driven you into madness! I am your wife. I am the Queen! Why can't you see?" Meanwhile her mind was finding it all incomprehensible. Hadn't she performed the part of Guinevere well enough to some of her closest confidants? Why not Arthur?
Arthur started walking around her examining Mithian from head to toe. "I must admit whomever conjured up this deceit did a remarkable job of cloaking you in my wife's appearance. A masterful resemblance." He shook his head placing both hands on his hips. "Who are you? Are you in league with King Odin?"
"I am your wife!" she retorted angrily.
"Don't say those words again! I know my wife completely. We've been together for far too long and you could never be her. My heart tells me so. You don't bear her essence. You don't have her gra…"
Mithian slapped him hard. Arthur recovered enough to yell, "Seize her!" A couple of the guards quickly obeyed their King's order. Mithian struggled mightily against their hold.
"Arthur why are you doing this?" she asked tearfully.
Arthur strolled up in front of her. "I understand the evil of this world. I'm absolutely convinced that something horrible is happening to my wife and you need to tell me NOW!"
Suddenly it grew quite dark and an unnatural wind started blowing through the camp. It blew in so fiercely that the men started running for cover and the secured horses became restless. Arthur and some of his men managed to find protection behind a huge rock while others latched on best as they could to the oak trees surrounding the camp and still a few remained at the wind's mercy. After some time the wind dissipated and Arthur cautiously surveyed the scene. Although many items in their camp were strewn about, thankfully the horses remained secured and no one was further injured. Fear entered Arthur's heart when it became evident that the supposed imposter had vanished.
"Sir Owen!"
"Your Majesty…"
"I'm leaving you in charge until Elyan returns because I'm immediately returning to Nemeth. Nilson My horse!"
"Certainly Your Majesty…"
"Walden! Spencer! Mendel! Randall! Malin!"
Owen insisted, "But Sire do you think it wise to do so at this time."
"I cannot delay, my future, my own sanity is at stake. I pray I'm not too late," he said while mounting his horse. "Let's Ride!"
Meanwhile Merlin and Iseldir were carrying on an intense discussion inside the druid meeting hall.
"My time as chief of the Druids isn't set in stone. There'll come a time when someone else must be chosen..."
Merlin knew what he was going to say next. "I cannot take on such a great role…"
"Believe it or not you're one of us," he cut Merlin off with an aggravated response.
"And therefore it will be forced upon me," Merlin added immediately rising from his seat. He gazed at the other men of the Council. They sat around with interested faces preferring their roles as observers. "Camelot is my destiny. My responsibilities lay with Camelot. My place is with its King and Queen." He set down his cup forcefully on the table spilling some of its contents.
"Or do you fear King Arthur's reaction to this new found role," Iseldir countered.
Merlin covered his face with his hands then abruptly removed them. "Can't you see how unfair this will be to King Arthur? He is so unlike his father in so many ways but it cannot be forced upon him in this manner."
"Especially noting that magic may play a huge role in his future demise," Iseldir contemplated.
Merlin eyes shifted to the floor. Of course he knew but he dreaded thinking about it. A world without King Arthur…
"Believe me Emrys it wasn't my decision to ask this of you. I'm only the message's conduit."
"Then this is my final response. I cannot and will not accept this proposal. The Council must find another worthy individual to take up this task."
"There will come a time when you will have no other choice but to accept."
Merlin simply returned to his seat. Iseldir sighed heavily then strolled over to the open window and gazed at the sky. Did his old eyes deceive him? The clouds were rapidly changing from a dull, hazy grey to a deep red hue.
"Merlin!" he yelled. "Merlin!" His face expressing horror. His right hand outstretched towards the spectacular vision.
Merlin and the others immediately joined him. A chorus of murmurs echoed through the room. After witnessing the incredible sight Merlin emphatically stated, "Everyone stay where you are and don't venture outside."
He immediately ran out yelling after those who were themselves transfixed by the display to get inside. It was more than a warning. Exon had returned!
The evening's biting winds and the onset of a growing weariness made the search for Guinevere even more arduous. As Gwaine, Fabian and a few other knights ventured deeper into the Nemeth forest Gwaine asked in frustration, "Where could the Queen possibly be?"
"Perhaps the others have already found her and our search is in vain," one of the knights commented.
"We must go on," Fabian stated. "I can sense she's near."
At a certain point on their journey Fabian requested and Gwaine allowed him to take over and they were following his lead.
"What is this place?"
"A place that is most foul and evil," Fabian remarked in the midst of dismounting. The others followed his action.
"Are you certain this is where she came?" Gwaine gazed around.
The darkness of the evening made this part of the forest appear most menacing. The trees and the hanging vines look eager to overtake any who dared to go further.
"There's a horse!" One of the knights noticed. Its reigns tied to one of the trees.
As they proceeded to investigate, an agitated Mithian suddenly appeared next to the horse.
"Your Grace!" Gwaine shouted quite elated to see her as were the other knights. Fabian on the other hand remained quiet.
"W-what are you all doing here?"
She hadn't sufficiently recovered from her encounter with Arthur. Exon who aided her escape had conveniently vanished.
"Searching for you Your Grace." Fabian stepped forward. "Where have you been?"
"Isn't it enough that you have found me?" Mithian responded impatiently. "After all it's my own private affair."
"It's cold and dark. Look at where this journey has taken us. The Queen of Camelot shouldn't be in a place like this unless…"
Gwaine and the others stood astonished by Fabian's bold words and the heightened tension between himself and the Queen.
"Mind your tongue," Mithian cautioned. "Hurling such accusations at your Queen is sure to make my punishment swift and hard."
"Fabian what are you doing?" Gwaine questioned.
From the moment he saw her, Fabian sensed all was not well. He sensed the woman standing before them wasn't as she appeared to be.
"Aetiewe me.Onluc tha sothan treow!"