Chapter 49: The Mirror speaks
Garratt had watched the rest of the tournament with an increasing satisfaction. Henry, Thomas and Arthur had got through to the last eight and it was obvious that Henry looked on course to claim the crown.
His other two nephews were off learning how to hone their magical gifts while the rumours he spread were beginning to take effect. Tonight he had yet another small gathering he had made arrangements for and nothing was getting in his way. He was now outside his chambers door, as he opened the door he was grateful his servant had ran him a bath and was ready to see to him.
The King needed some time to think about his next steps so had dismissed his manservant after his boots were off. After the most relaxing bath he had had in years he was ready for the evening and the round of mingling he would have to do. Now sat at on his bed, he looked into the mirror and smiled. Despite his age, the King still looked good, Elizabeth had always remarked on his boyish good looks. He smiled to himself that thankfully he didn't have the same ears as his grandson Merlin.
"Hello Grandfather."
The King jumped and fell off the bed, dusting himself down he rose and looked into the mirror. "Merlin!
What in God's name?"
"I am not God your Majesty, I am the Emrys."
"You are my Grandson, now what on earth possesses you to appear in my mirror?"
"Because you have left me little choice, King Garratt."
Garratt was really unsure why Merlin was talking to him in such a harsh tone. He wondered what he had done to provoke such ire but recently he thought he had behaved exceptionally.
"Are you going to tell me what has provoked you to speak to me in such a tone?"
"Oh you know." Merlin said in an accusing tone.
"Actually I don't."
"Fine, Sire, I will make it easier for you. First, you never told me about the Dragon Egg under your castle, second Prince Arthur is still fighting in a tournament and third, third you haven't told the rest of my family about how exactly I am coming back and what is going to happen next."
The King stared at the mirror, he was almost breathless with rage. "I do not answer to you."
"No, you answer to your people, who will judge you."
"The people do not know what I have to do, what I still need to do to keep them safe."
Merlin shot back, "Well you lost Ulster, Sire and you're risking the Kingdom by having that Egg in the Castle, that's just for starters."
Garratt shook his head. "What would you have done then?"
"For a start I would have been a bit more truthful. I thought you had changed but you haven't. I would say I am surprised but really I am just disappointed. I shouldn't have to be doing all this work when I am meant to be resting but here I am again."
"Well go and rest then and keep out of my affairs Merlin."
"Not when they impact my brother or my future Kingdom."
"Oh future Kingdom? So you think you can do better?"
Merlin shook his head at his Grandfather, "I know I can do better."
"Fine, well you won't have to wait long will you?" The King spoke in a quieter tone than Merlin had expected, almost resigning himself he thought.
"No and that is something I need to address with you."
The King sighed, "There's no chance of you leaving until I talk to you is there?"
"None."
Looking at Merlin Garratt had to admire his stubbornness, he laughed, Merlin's eyes shot up. "You remind me of a younger me Merlin, few have ever spoken to me like that and live to tell the tale."
"Few know all about you Grandfather. Now are you going to listen to me?"
His Grandfather waved his right hand, "Yes yes get on with it."
"To start not telling me about the Dragon Egg was irresponsible. I am a Dragonlord. You know as well as I do that any Egg when hatched will automatically look to the person who hatched it as their master. Fitzgerald's were not the only Dragonlord family. You do not know if any of the Norsemen has Dragonlord blood in them."
"I understand the Dragon has told Leon he wants the Egg. This is dangerous in itself. Leon will order the Dragon to return the Egg safe and sound. Unchecked Killgarrah can be as you know a complete law onto himself."
"What would you have me do then?"
"The Egg must now go with Killgarrah and we can only hope he keeps it safe."
Garratt turned his head, "Why are you so keen for the Egg to go now?"
"The Norsemen will attack soon. You have little over a month before the strike."
Garratt had not been expecting this news, "Are you quiet sure? The scrolls did not mention it."
"I am sure, I have seen it. And I can see them remember? I can see the whole Kingdom."
Suddenly the King felt tired, he put his left hand over his face and squeezed tightly. He rubbed his eyes and then looked back into the eyes of his Grandson. "They cannot, cannot succeed. I will not allow it."
"I know which is why I need to come back quickly. Only I have the power to knock out Loki and their other sorcerers. With no magic defenses our troops will be able to beat them."
The King nodded, "I know, I have been preparing for your arrival. I always suspected it would be earlier. "
"There is a problem you don't know about Grandfather." Garratt smiled, Merlin was calming down which was a good sign. "Go on, I am listening."
"If I come back you know I need to be sustained and I am sorry to mention it but only your death can bring me back. That means I need to claim your crown quicker than expected. I also will not be fully recovered. Only once we get past the Summer Solstice I will fully recover. There is a risk that if I am injured I could not be healed. And there is a bigger risk, if I come back and it is not at the solstice then there is the chance others escape. You must know that a life for a life does not always work in the way you want it."
The soft voice was back Merlin thought as the King spoke, "Merlin I do know about what happened with you, Arthur, Gaius and your mother. I know what Nivemuh did but she is dead now."
Merlin stopped; the King wasn't getting it yet. "She is dead yes. But she escaped before and if we don't get my return right then the veil between this and the spirit world could break again. We could have Dorcha everywhere."
"And you are not in the spirit world, well not fully are you. So if you come back it doesn't mean that the veil breaks."
The warlock shook his head, "It isn't easy, there are always risks and I cannot allow risk to be taken that makes matters worse."
Finally Garratt realized why Merlin had been behaving the way he was, he wasn't angry, well he was a bit but it was mainly because he was worried about his future and that of the Kingdoms. Typical he thought, he had misjudged his Grandson yet again. "Nothing will ever be easy Grandson, that is why not everyone makes a good King but you will do. You are going to have to follow your own path and your own heart. No King gets it right all of the time, not even I."
"Thank you. Will you listen to me now?"
"I can but try. Oh and one more thing. I will not risk Arthur. Do not fear on that one."
"Thank you your majesty."
"Merlin please it's Grandfather."
Both seemed at peace with each other, it was almost calm.
The sad thing looking back Garratt thought was neither of them saw the approaching storm.
