Chapter 21

[Physicians' Chamber—Another Quarter Turn of the Hourglass]

Merlin sat at the table in the chamber's far corner. Perspiration dampened his forehead. Dread and Worry numbed his brain. His eyes scanned Gaius' former texts feverishly for a cure. Memoria goaded him over his previous failure with Uther.

He wouldn't fail Mithian as he had Arthur….no way in Hell….

He slurped on water from a wooden cup. He bit his lip. He grabbed for another tome and flipped through that one as well. Then another…and another…. Frustration overwhelmed him. His hand slammed down on the chipped wood with a resounding blow. He shuddered.

"Merlin, please stop. It's not your fault," Mithian assured him. She wiped her father's forehead with a cloth soaked in rosewater. She glanced at Britomart and Hunith.

"Milady, perhaps you might…?" Britomart motioned toward the exasperated Prince. She held her hand out.

"Aye. Mother?" Mithian surrendered the cloth.

"I can talk to the Prince. It will go in one ear and out the other. Perhaps you might let him know?" Hunith glanced at her son. "He's afraid that it's his failure if King Rodor dies."

"What?" Incredulity nearly choked Mithian. "Of all the…." She inhaled and exhaled a few times forcing herself to be patient. "Time to reassure him." She shook her head. Where does he get these notions? Could Arthur get his head out of his own arse? She rose slowly. "Please let us know if anything changes."

"At once. The King is stable for now. Let's hope the goddess can intervene," Britomart agreed.

"Let's hope so." Mithian whispered a brief prayer. Then she stood slowly. "Father is going to be incapacitated though?"

"Barring a miracle. Ronsbane doesn't kill. It keeps the exposed victim like this however." Britomart frowned. "I'll keep an eye on him."

"I know you'll do your best, Britomart." Mithian sucked up her moods. She composed herself for her Warlock's sake. She strode toward the table. "Merlin, stop."

Merlin kept reading and searching.

Mithian huffed. She grabbed the tome away from him. "With due respect, I SAID STOP!"

"Mithian, we have to save your father! There's too much at stake. We…." Desperation shone brightly in his eyes.

"And we shall, my Prince." Mithian calmed herself. She rubbed his shoulder. "Whatever happened in Camelot, this isn't the same thing. Morgana is on our side now. You haven't cast any spells." She glanced back at the sick bed. Then her gaze returned to him. "Nor should you until we get more guidance from Freya or her order."

She speaks sensibly, Merlin. I would listen and quit beating yourself up. For once, it is not merited, Kilgarrah chimed in.

Enough, Dragon! Malodius chided. Prince Merlin doesn't deserve that. He and Princess Mithian are right. King Rodor should be directing the course of these negotiations. The agreement on magic is one that will reverse Uther's bile and prejudice against sorcerers and magical creatures such as ourselves. Still, you do have a point…be it wrapped in unwarranted sarcasm. We shouldn't let past failures blind us to future good. Prince Merlin is showing that experience by not casting a healing spell without due consideration to the entire situation first. Much as Morgana did with Uther, how do we know that witch didn't set up a trap to counter his efforts or worse? We will help if we can. Meantime we will keep his dream going.

Keep his dream going? Malodius, how? We don't know…. Merlin doubted.

We know what Father wanted, Merlin. We will remain true to our course. You all deserve tolerance and moreover acceptance. Mithian smiled. This was done to tear our hearts out. We will not be hobbled. Father would want us to press on.

Mithian, we can't just push the King aside, Merlin protested.

Who said anything about that? As per the coronation oath, the kingdom is bigger than any one of us. We are simply regents. I know what Father wants. I will pursue such things in his interests. I trust you to pursue the same course at my side. Our allies will support us. Have faith, my Prince. Father and Nemeth are counting on us. The future is counting on us. Mithian looked firmly into his eyes. Have faith.

Doubt cascaded through Merlin's brain. Concern pressed as to their liege lord. As much as he wanted to press on with their aims, he respected Rodor's prerogative. He'd come to rely on Rodor's support and guidance in the initial stages of his political apprenticeship. Still he trusted his wife and Princess. He knew she wouldn't simply run her father's wishes over. On the contrary, she proposed a regency to keep their shared dream going.

"For Father and you, Merlin. I promise that's all we do today," Mithian proposed. She held her hand out to him.

"For Rodor and magical creatures then." Merlin clasped her hand. He pulled her into a tight embrace. Thank you.

My pleasure even if a certain worrywart needs to be spurred on from time to time. Snark curled the Princess' lips into a pronounced smirk. We can trust Mother and Britomart to pursue the course. The others await us. After we concluded, we shall return here. You know my mind is always on Father.

Of course. Merlin squeezed her hands. His eyes gleamed warmly into hers. I love you.

And I you, my Prince. You grow every day…granted it's hair by hair…but you grow, Mithian complimented and teased simultaneously.

Gee thanks. Merlin rolled his eyes. The other rulers are waiting. Shall we?

Mithian nodded. "Britomart, if there's any change, can you inform us?"

"At once, Princess." Britomart bowed to Merlin and Mithian. "Good luck with your negotiations. Lady Hunith and I will do what we can here."

"We appreciate that," Mithian expressed. Then she guided Merlin from the chamber.

Hunith sucked in a deep breath. "You didn't tell them about Ronsbane's effects."

"Prince Merlin knows. Gaius would have taught him about that." Britomart motioned toward the door. "Our Lady proposes to keep the ship on course. I've learned to trust Princess Mithian in that regard. She reveres King Rodor. Have faith."

Hunith nodded. For us all, I hope it's not another tragedy!