Chapter 13 [Courtyard/Garden Area—A Quarter Turn of the Hourglass Earlier]
[A/N: Big shift in plans is about to hit!]
Merlin paced out the cobblestoned walkways in the castle's open air courtyard. His eye inspected the bare trees dotting the bare dirt areas. He tried to recall the distinct plants in their full glory. He knew the perennials would bounce back with some assistance. The annuals on the other hand would require replanting. Then again, he wanted to add some suggestions of his own.
Memoria flashed the image from his other-dimensional trial. It displayed the latter one for him—the one of budding trees and flowers. Hope's own beauty lay in wait beneath Potential's veneer. So much to be shared. Not enough time before Rodor's island-wide meeting now a week and a half away.
He frowned. He craved to bring this place to life. Despite the early time of year, he wanted Natura's blessing. He could bring this place to life with his magic. Still he didn't want a rogue mood from Jack Frost to kill the plants. He sighed.
"You see it as well?"
Merlin turned to find Peter and Josiane watching him from the passage entrance. "I can visualize several possibilities. I just want this to be perfect. King Rodor and Princess Mithian offer so much. They deserve to be rewarded by our efforts."
"You would offer her the world, Merlin. Princess Mithian knows that. Still the effort involved might provoke reactions. You do understand what I mean?" Her eye swept over the entire courtyard. Then she gazed up to the sky taking in the ramparts. She nodded. "I wonder how many of the leaders though have been here before?"
"I am sorry, Mistress. What does that have to do with our effort?" Peter scratched his head.
"I am suggesting something that my father put together back in our homeland, Master Peter." She smiled. Her eyes twinkled. "Perhaps the priestesses and a bit of magic can help?"
"Magic?" Peter looked at her. Curiosity lit in his eyes. "Not that I'm opposed to the idea but what would it be needed for?"
"A glass dome with a metal frame. Even the quality from your native craftsmen would offer enough sunlight in while sheltering the plants from the weather, my Good Poet," she proposed.
"But the assembly is in eleven days! Pardon me, Mistress, but it cannot be done in that time. Even if we could work night and day, such a project would take a summer season to erect in itself. Then the garden would need planting and time to grow. Even with magic, I don't know," Peter doubted.
"I've seen more miraculous things," Merlin disagreed. "With help, it can be done. The question is how will people react to it? Magic still brings out divided feelings. Many still oppose its use." He shook his head.
"Still the time is coming. Perhaps if it was used for such good?" she put forward.
"Even so, remember what happened to Lady Elaine's mother. She helped people with her magic. Uther had her burnt at the stake for that," Merlin reminded them. "We need to be careful. That's why you asked about how many had been here before, Princess?"
"Indeed. If those who would oppose magic have never seen this place, how would they know? And those who favor it or be so inclined wouldn't be bothered by it. In fact, they would enjoy the oasis we'd create," she insisted.
"Most of the younger rulers wouldn't have a problem," Merlin assumed. "We should ask King Rodor and Princess Mithian. Maybe they might know more. Other than King Arthur and King Meleagant of Cawdor, I don't think anyone would oppose the use of magic here. I don't know how King Bors of Gaul or Queen Annis would react. Still if they haven't been here recently…."
"My point exactly." She visualized how a flexible material could be put up. Then she'd use her talents to turn it into a metal framework and the air itself into glass. "If someone could…use magic…to lift some wood or something else into place, the rest would fall into place."
Merlin rubbed his chin. He understood her plan. He knew they and the Priestesses could do it and create the garden in more than enough time. Still Doubt nagged him over the surrounding reaction toward such sorcery and its use there. He well imagined Arthur storming out of the meeting and pulling him back to Camelot.
He wondered if the ensuing fight would be worth the display frankly…..
On the other hand, the dome and garden would represent an early wedding present of sorts. They would be a monument to his Princess. Hope itself would be well represented.
Two points of view holding up a wonder of the world. Quite the quandary…..
"Forgive me for doubting you both. I just don't want King Rodor or Princess Mithian to have trouble," Peter apologized.
"Caution's always a good thing," Merlin assured him. He eyed the sky again.
"Cautious about what?" Mithian strolled out onto the courtyard's stones. "I see we have a council meeting out here. Pity you all weren't inside."
"Why? Didn't you have a meeting?' Merlin assumed.
"Father and I spoke in the council chamber. The counselors were not there." Mithian shook her head. 'Master Wyngate's never missed a meeting. Lords Aethelred and Tringelstan were seen leaving the city early this morning by our knights."
Josiane narrowed her eyes. She recalled such actions before her father's deposition. "We need to speak with King Rodor, Princess Mithian. This is treason."
Merlin shook his head. "Can you call the knights together, Princess? We have to stop them."
"We can send knights to bring Count Bernard here. Perhaps the counselors are there?" Mithian proposed.
Merlin swallowed hard. "There's another thing too. Perhaps Master Wyngate went to Camelot? He could tell Arthur about our plans."
"He wouldn't! I…." Her eyes went wide. "Merlin, we…."
"It matters little about law at this point, my Friends. Those men garner support for their opposition. Even if they are wrong, they do not care," Josiane insisted.
Mithian swallowed hard. She grabbed onto Merlin not caring if anyone saw them. "After everything? Why?"
Merlin held her. "You heard Princess Josiane. They don't care. They want their way no matter what. Let's see the King. Then we can pursue them."
"Pursue? Merlin, they have such a big head start!" Mithian argued. Doubt crushed Resolve's previous high.
"If we have King Rodor's support, we can still get this under control." Merlin took her hand. "I won't let you down." At that moment, the project at hand was forgotten. He had bigger things to consider.
The future and love hung in the balance. Who knew what would happen next?