Chapter 20 [Across the Chamber]
Mithian sipped from her gilded goblet. Her eyes scanned the entire chamber. Curiosity pushed her mind this way and that. Caution kept her alert. Agendas lurked like a predator in the brush. As such, when she spoke with the dignitaries, she remained mindful of their aims and goals as well as her own.
Still Memoria put the image of her close call with the boar before her eyes once again.
My own rashness nearly did me in. If not for my Prince, who knows? She sighed thinking of how she'd put Merlin at risk for discovery to save her. We're fortunate he wasn't seen. Given how Arthur reacted at the Severn, how might he have treated Merlin had he found out then? She took another anxious gulp. She moved through the throng. Occasionally she'd stop to accept a congratulations or well wishes. Then her dress would evoke another rush of Compliment's grace. I still can't believe Merlin found this gown! Magic or not, it's beyond belief. She grimaced at the cost he must've put himself through.
Still she knew he'd repay whoever or whatever gladly for her sake.
Merlin would spoil me. Unreal! She rolled her eyes. She spied Gwen lingering alone on the room's far side. Why isn't there anyone talking with her? She sighed. Hospitality lent speed to her steps. Within four heartbeats, she'd reached Gwen. "Are you all right?"
Gwen stiffened. She turned. "I'm sorry, Mithian. I guess my mind's not on the reception. I hope the banquet is lovely."
"Knowing Michael's cooking, it will be. Why aren't you speaking with anyone? Surely there are some of our friends in the crowd?" Mithian supposed.
"There are. I should put up a better front being a Queen or former Queen…" Gwen drank from her goblet. "Water. I didn't feel like wine." Depression weighed her mouth down into a frown. "I should be happier. Merlin's finally with someone special. Lancelot's alive and well for real this time. You look absolutely radiant in that gown, Mithian. Still I just can't get myself in the spirit. I'm sorry."
"Arthur should have been here to support Merlin today. I wish he had been. Still, Gwen, he made his choice. If he wants help, we can offer it. Otherwise he is King over Camelot. We need to respect that," Mithian declared.
"And I made my choice to come here. To be honest, I hoped Arthur would have broken down and apologized at that point. He needs to understand." Gwen furrowed her brow and folded her arms across her chest.
"Politics push us in different ways. Meleagant and Edgar are pushing him in different directions. You know how Camelot's nobles can be. Arthur's finding out what it means to be King without an assistant. Agravaine did do some good in addition to his scheming," Mithian pointed out.
"That's debatable. I know Merlin suspected him from the beginning. He tried to tell Arthur to watch his back. Once again, Merlin was right." Gwen coughed. "His instincts are something else."
"Aye. They are. So are yours, Gwen. We aren't giving up on Arthur. As if I could make Merlin do that even if I wanted to? I don't think Father could make him do that," Mithian assured her.
Gwen smiled. "Thank you for that. Arthur wants to change so many things. I wish he could do the same for magic."
"Bad experience and Uther's attitudes have a lot to do with it. Then there are the old nobles. Such things take time to change." Mithian shook her head. Frustration ate at her. "I want to ride into Camelot and slap him. Merlin's done so much for him and Camelot."
"Arthur knows that, Mithian. We all do. Arthur just feels so…well…overwhelmed. He's trying to govern without a viceroy. Then there are all of the knights moving on to other places. He supports it of course. Still he needs support. We all do," Gwen clarified. "Especially being up against Uther's old guard."
"We have some of them as well here." Mithian glanced across the chamber toward a group of older men standing apart from everyone else.
"Your missing counselors?" Gwen supposed.
"Aye. Them. They object to Merlin. Never mind that he's just as entitled to his place as they are theirs." Mithian shook her head. "The two counselors are still unaccounted for." She exhaled sharply. "But enough of that. Are you sure that I can't do something to make you feel better?"
Gwen nodded. "You already have. You never give up on anyone."
"With Merlin as my Prince? He'd never let me hear the end of it. Not that I'd want him any different," Mithian insisted. She noticed Josiane, Boeve, Gawain, Britomart and Soredamors not far away. "Now as the bride, I insist you join the rest of us. Or do I have to get Merlin to talk to you?"
Gwen rolled her eyes. "He'd never stop trying to get me to join you all. Lead on."
"Much better." Mithian ushered Gwen over to where their friends congregated.
In that sense, Mood seemed to brighten just a bit…..