Chapter 12 [Next Morning]
Mithian stirred. Slowly her eyes blinked open. Contentment warmed her heart. She'd had a nice guided walk about the village. While seemingly like most others, the residents greeted her warmly. They appreciated the attention especially since the last visit had been twenty-five years earlier.
That fact widened her eyes to say the least. She understood that Gedref's disputed status meant the threat of war if either Camelot or Nemeth crossed into that territory. She shook her head. Certainly Grandfather or Father could've worked something out with Arthur. If only Uther hadn't been so pigheaded! That man…ARGH! Her face crinkled up like a prune. Father will take care of this now. Thankfully Merlin proposed this tavern idea. She smiled. Warmth melted Discord's mood away quickly. She glanced toward him.
He, for his part, relaxed. Healing and helping others put him right in his element. Between Freya, Ninane, Nimue and himself, they had tended to the villagers. Ever the diplomat, he smiled and bade greetings. He asked questions and learned all he could about them. He performed spell-driven illusions and tricks for the children. He and Mithian even walked with the elders. He asked them for advice on prospective sites for the village's tavern.
Trust hesitantly poked through because of these efforts. The villagers could tell that the royals genuinely cared about their welfare. Generations had languished out on the frontier under both Camelot's and Nemeth's blind eyes. They'd learned to make it on their own. Even if a few resented this visit, most welcomed the protection and promised assistance from Whitgate. Experience and Co-existence would develop these bonds further for good or ill.
All from Merlin's efforts…even if he was snoring at the moment….
Amusement raised an eyebrow. It lifted the sides of her mouth into a bemused smile. It shook her head.
He's entitled to his quirks, I suppose. The greatest sorcerer of our age. A Prince who exceeds in his training. A husband who tries to please me…sometimes too much. He's entitled to those rough edges. She twirled his dark locks between her fingers. Despite the weeks of royal pampering, the strands still stubbornly clung to their peasant coarseness.
Just another sign of how difficult Merlin's transition proved for him. It represented the point of clinging to the past while trying to jump ahead and reconcile both at the same time. Skepticism would hamper many in such a situation. Prejudice and Rejection impeded the effort. Most men would quit.
But Her Prince wasn't most men…and if he'd been, she wouldn't have fallen so hard for him….
But then she wasn't the usual Princess either—quilting samples and being an arm ornament be damned….
You are bringing about a new world, Merlin. Thank you for partnering with me on it. She kissed his brow. Then she slowly untangled herself from their embrace. She carefully slid out of the bed roll. She smoothed her white riding blouse and breeches. She sucked in a deep breath of that setting. She knew that they'd firm up their new kingdom in places such as that. They'd reassure their supporters. They'd convince their critics to consider anew. But they'd work with everyone.
"Ho! Milady!" Britomart called.
"Aye?" Mithian hustled toward the duo. She noticed a thin or rather emaciated man stumbling to maintain the others' pace. She could see the villager's rags hanging from his arms. His eyes bulged almost seeming too large for his face. Hunger clearly had taken its toll on him. "Please get this man something to eat."
"I…I am not worthy, Princess," the man coughed. He lowered himself slowly to his knees. "My…daughter….I must speak….with you."
"And we will. I promise. Please. I want you to eat something first," Mithian insisted. She helped the visitor to the ground. "Sir Gawain, is someone on guard?"
"Yeah Ywain and the new kids are on patrol. Blood Lion's doing his own patrol. We didn't want this guy to drop on us." Gawain motioned toward the supplies. "Maybe some bread?"
"And water. Thank you," Mithian added. She leaned over the shuddering man. "We'll get you something." When Gawain had returned with the bread, she ripped a piece from the loaf and handed it to the man. "Here you are. What's your name?"
"Randolph, Milady." Randolph accepted the meal. Skittishness stiffened his movements. His teeth tore into her offering bite by bite. His stomach didn't seem to burn so much. A subsequent water skin parched his arid throat. "Thank you, Princess." He bowed his head.
"You're welcome, Master Randolph. Let me get Prince Merlin. Then we might talk," Mithian advised. "Finish your meal." She smiled.
"You're too generous, Lady. Might I keep some for my family? My wife and children…they're hungry," Randolph requested.
"Of course. We'll see to them. I'll be back," Mithian assured him. Then she walked toward her sleeping husband.
Charity had a much bigger burden than any had supposed…..
[A Quarter of the Hourglass Later]
Merlin accompanied Mithian back across the campsite. Granted he'd needed a bit of coaxing from her to wake up. He blinked back a bit of the sand in his eyes. "And did you find out more about him?"
She snorted. "Priorities, Merlin. I've seen starving wolves devour prey with less ferocity. We satisfy his stomach. We'll see to his family. Then we can discern the best course of action. Wouldn't you agree?"
He sighed. "I can't believe Uther and your father left these people out here like this. And even so, the villagers seem all right all things considered. So why would this man and his family be any different? Arthur would've helped them if he'd known." Regret once again pricked at his heart. He frowned.
"All good questions, my Prince. I am sure Arthur would've given aid to these people had he known. As for why some benefit and others are shunned, perhaps you might ask Mother why she sent you to Camelot in the first place?" she suggested.
"You have a point," he conceded.
"Do I now?" She raised an eyebrow and smirked at him.
He shrugged. "Let's see if we can help him." He noticed Britomart tending to Randolph. "How is our patient, Britomart?"
"Better, my Prince. Randolph has more energy. He is ready to speak with you," Britomart reported.
Randolph tried to climb to his feet. His legs, however, still felt too weak to do so. "Prince Merlin, I…I…"
"It's all right." Merlin shook his head. He stooped down to Randolph's level. He clearly discerned the remaining weakness there. "I know you would kneel if you could, Randolph. How are you? Are you feeling better?"
"I am. Thank you, Sire." Confusion sent Randolph's brain spinning. He couldn't believe that a Prince much less the Crown Prince had kneeled to his level rather than the other way around. "I appreciate the Princess' kindness and yours."
"It's our pleasure. Princess Mithian tells me that your family is hungry. We can walk back to the village if you'd like…." Merlin started.
Randolph snapped to attention. Fear paled his complexion once more. "Nay, Sire! I…" He bowed his head. "Forgive me. I didn't mean…."
Mithian rubbed his shoulder. "Of course you didn't." Still she puzzled over their visitor's mindset. "What happened in the village? Why don't you want to go back there?"
Randolph shook his head fiercely. "Nay. Please! I can't! They'd come after her."
"Come after her? Come after who, Mate?" Gawain interjected.
"My daughter." Randolph frowned. "I was a tanner in the village. Then my neighbors found out about my daughter. They feared her. She…" His eyes watered. His mouth went dry.
"Why did they fear her? It's all right. You can tell us," Merlin assured him. Fear practically pounced on Mithian and him from Randolph. "So are you in the village?"
"Nay. We live in the forest. We survive on fruit and what fish I catch." Randolph trembled. "You promise not to harm her?" He backed away from them.
"I promise. Nothing will happen to her," Mithian vowed.
"We both promise, Randolph," Merlin affirmed.
Randolph glanced at the two royals. For a dozen long heartbeats, his mind weighed potential consequences and benefits of their proposal. Need and Risk both pressed at him. Finally Necessity shoved him forward. He nodded. "I can lead you."
"Okay." Merlin looked him in the eye. "Show us the way."
"Follow me." Randolph slowly stood. "It isn't far." He headed toward the woods.
"Gawain and Ywain, accompany us. Everyone else, keep watch here," Mithian told them all. She beckoned Merlin and the two aforementioned knights to follow Randolph and her.
The quintet trudged through the trees and brush. They crossed a small stream. They wove their way through some oak trees. A half league later, they came upon a cave…well more like a hollow than a cave actually. In front of it, a small shelter of broken wood strips, tree branches and leaves extended into the small clearing. Off to the side, a rouge haired woman and a young girl leaned close to a smoldering fire. Their threadbare clothes bore animal-skin patches. They wore deerskin breeches.
Seeing Randolph's companions, the two women stiffened. Their eyes jerked upward. Their jaws slackened. They dropped their skewers and rushed into the shelter.
"We mean no harm! It's all right!" Merlin assured them. He grimaced. Memoria reminded him of how Hunith would've reacted in much the same way to Mercian officials. He could definitely relate to the family's feelings.
"Pardon, Prince and Princess, we have learned to avoid others. We do have our reasons," Randolph explained.
"I'm sure. Still we did promise safety to you," Mithian reminded Randolph.
"We can bring them out," Ywain offered.
"Nay." Merlin sucked in a deep breath. It's all right. I have magic too. You can trust us.
For several heartbeats, Silence and Tension hung heavily over the clearing. Only a few birds chirped from the trees. None of the traveling party or Randolph made a sound.
How can I hear you? a female voice called back to Merlin.
Prince Merlin can speak to some in their minds. So can I, Mithian explained. We mean you no harm. Please come out.
We do understand. Magic isn't evil in itself. You can be safe, Merlin promised.
As they have vowed, Young One, so shall it be, the goddess affirmed. In a flash of light, she appeared in their midst. Emerge now.
A dark haired girl emerged from the forest with her elder close behind her. Amazement widened her eyes. She struggled to digest the situation. "The…goddess? Is it?" She threw herself to the ground. "Can it be?"
Aye. Tis true, Daughter. These are my allies and followers. You are one of many who has hidden your face and gifts for too long. Once trained, you will know how to use them for the Light. You will be one of my priestesses, Daelfryn. It is time. The goddess held out her hand.
"What do you mean? You can't take her from us!" the woman protested.
I do not steal her for pleasure. She is to be trained. Such as her duty and yours. As I give so can I take. The goddess took the girl's hands in hers. She will be safe. With that, she disappeared from view with her young charge.
"Where is our daughter? You said she'd be safe!" Randolph insisted.
Gawain shrugged. "If the Prince says she's safe, then she's safe. Kid will be fine." He shot Merlin a look. She'd better be safe.
The woman shook her head at Randolph. "Daelfryn's been taken by the goddess, Randolph. You know of Avalon! The myths…they're true!"
Randolph squirmed. He recalled the legends and myths from around the campfires. As a boy, he did see the emerald clad priestesses. Still he thought them long hunted down and gone. "And what of those who Uther and his ilk hunted down? Will our girl be safe?"
"The goddess promised. So have we. I fear that's the best we can tell you," Mithian indicated. "We did not know she'd take your daughter. That is her will. At least she will not be hunted for what she is."
And she will not be. That I promise you, the goddess chimed in telepathically before going silent once more.
Mood hung heavily over the clearing. The air warmed as Sol climbed into the sky. A slight breeze billowed through the leaves and grass.
"Come. Let's see what we can do in the village. The days of sorcerers being hunted down are over," Merlin told them all. Then he turned and walked back toward the flowing water.
"So you're just going to make them accept these guys?" Gawain inquired. Skepticism flavored his tone.
"He is the Prince, Sir Gawain," Ywain reminded his fellow knight.
Yeah but will those blokes listen? Gawain shook his head. Merlin, I hope you know what you're doing! He followed the others down the path.