Chapter 19 [A Week Later]

With Success' blessing on the first mission to the provinces, others soon followed. Merlin, Josiane, Freya and Elaine spelled up more supplies and food for the countryside. Wagons drove out to the villages and estates around Nemeth. Freya helped to mist other supplies to the outlying areas saving days of travel and potential standoffs in the process. Good Will budded in the countryside be it in Nemeth proper or in Gedref itself.

The royal government started back into its routine as well. Rodor started hearing cases between his subjects once more. The Royal Council met to discuss further aid to the countryside and the Sorcerers' Code. Levies were suspended for the time being until everyone got back on their feet. Fallen knights' sons, nephews and grandsons began their training ss full-time knights.

And of course, Surprise lay in wait around every corner with the Big Handfasting just two days away….

[Courtyard Area]

Merlin looked up into the sky. His eye tracked the clouds' gentle flotilla across pale blue sky. He smiled at Sol's renewed warmth. His ears perked to the birds' gentle calls and songs. Still Hesitation nagged at him. And then Prejudice still loomed large…..

…against magic and his desired project, a wedding present for his Princess Fair….

He glanced at the dormant surroundings. He knew the bare branches would sprout buds at some point. The mud from that morning's rain would firm up again soon enough. Still Perspective offered something else. In his mind's eye (or perhaps through the Dreamscape), he conceptualized his goal. He'd seen a clearing lined with flowers. Rose and Jasmine snaked up arbors. Lilacs, Tulip and Violet contributed to Scent's cornucopia. Apple and Dogwood would explode in blossoms. Mountain Laurel would frame some of the borders along with that green undergrowth plant.

Uncharacteristically he relaxed. His eyes closed. Memoria had wafted a gentle tune perhaps from a rebec on the previous night. He drifted. His feet barely touched the ground. He visualized a sweet dance with his beloved on that very spot in the full blooms….

…a dance which would come rain or shine if his idea reached fruition….

He twirled. Body followed Imagination's lead. Grace showed herself in fits and starts. Inexperience tripped him up at several turns. Still he pressed on. He'd try. He'd be perfect for Mithian if it killed him.

A clapping broke his concentration.

Surprise jarred him from his reverie. He turned to find Josiane watching him. "Princess! Sorry. I got into the moment."

She smiled. Nonchalance nudged a shrug from her shoulders. "I enjoyed watching you, Merlin. Love and Passion should lead us. Ambiance is our guide. This is art, my Friend! It should be imagined! It should be visualized!" She inhaled a deep breath. "I can imagine how Boeve would be here too." She sighed allowing herself a dreamy smile.

"He must've been something else." He and the others had noticed that particular torch burning brightly.

"He is." Her eyes twinkled. Warmth spread the smile across her face.

"Love like that is worth holding on to. I cannot wait to meet him tomorrow," he assured her. "You're right. Places like this are made for dreams." He nodded. "I used to dream of giving back to my mother and friends when I was a child. Maybe not like this but they'd be better off than we were in Ealdor."

"That is your heart, Merlin. Don't lose that warmth. Princess Mithian is indeed quite fortunate." She gazed up at the sky for herself. "It's almost a pity to have to enclose this courtyard. Still our friends will need some cover. The glass will allow for light."

"I hope it does. Freya brought me to this really big city on the other side of the Roman Sea. Maybe you might know it. It had this big domed place of worship," he remarked.

"You are referring to Constantinople. Aye. I have been there. You refer to Hagia Sophia, the great cathedral and marvel of the Emperor Justinian. The domes are wondrous." Her eyes narrowed. "I wish the inhabitants measured up to that standard."

He stiffened. "I'm sorry. I…."

"You didn't know, Merlin. Those ingrates sailed in an armada across the water. They attacked my homeland. After much damage, looting and pillaging, Chaos asserted regency over the land. My father died in battle. Mother led the defense. Still the Emperor Alexander defeated her in battle and carried her off as a trophy. I am fortunate that an uncle looked after me. It was he and my brethren that trained me and granted the scimitar and my carpet to me." She gazed to the southeast. "I pray she is all right. It's been fifteen years." She allowed another sharp breath. "I understand how my uncle feels. He misses Mother as much as I do."

"Yeah. I've told him this. You do know you aren't alone. Right?" he reminded her.

"I know. Thank you, Merlin." She walked over toward the back side of the courtyard. There, against the back wall, a pile of flexible wooden timbers and a sizable container waited for them. "Freya is very resourceful. She located the wood I asked for." She hefted one of the pieces and bent it. "Light as a feather and yet very strong."

"How will that stay up there? It can't be strong enough to hold up what we're thinking about," he pointed out. Doubt flavoring his words.

"It's easier to get up there like this. Once you get it there, I can work my own magic." A faint lavender glow enveloped her for a heartbeat. "Care to work your craft, Master Warlock? I will keep watch here."

He nodded. "Fiodh a thogail!" Canary flashed in his eyes. He pointed to the woodpile.

One by one, the timbers floated from the pile. Each in turn zipped through the air. Upon reaching the top of the courtyard walls, they alighted on top of said walls. When the circle had been completed, he guided the other ends together. With his sorcery, he made the beams bend and meet overhead. Then he eased the last stragglers into another circle halfway between the top and walls. He eased his breathing. He relaxed as much as he could.

"Now the spikes," she directed.

He nodded. "Spikes àrdaich! Na fiodh a chumail tèarainte!"

Almost as if fired from a series of crossbows, the metal spikes flew in an upward hail. They buried themselves into the wood at the intersecting points. Without much sign or wear, they held the configuration intact.

"I've already reinforced the walls." She stepped back into the passage. Within two heartbeats, she flew back out on the carpet. "Now watch."

"Will this work? I hope it will." Anxiety gripped him. He trembled.

"There is another like this in Jaffa. It is quite sturdy." The carpet lifted her up to the wooden framework. She touched the wooden structure. Once again, the lavender glow enveloped her. Then it lit up the entire wooden surface.

Another in Jaffa? What does she mean she reinforced the walls? He narrowed his eyes. Concern and Skepticism occupied him in those heartbeats. Still he allowed her the time much as she had with him.

The wood turned black. It took on a heavier structure. The beams gleaned in Sol's light reflecting to the bare eye.

"And now for the cover itself." She flew about their creation. Her hand touched the spaces between the metal web's strands. One by one, she repeated the motion for each space.

In her wake, the air in those areas glowed in a lavender hue. Its molecules shifted in their alignment. The spot shimmered and then hardened. As if working magic with the light, the air warmed considerably.

"And there we have it!" She alighted back on the stones. Then she regarded their handiwork. "We have worked a marvel, Good Prince." Satisfaction prompted a grin from her. "The first dome in Britannia. It is a true marvel."

"Thanks to you," he deflected.

She rolled her eyes. "And you! I helped but this is your dream, Merlin." She slapped his arm. "What did that knave, Arthur, do to you?" She cursed in her native dialect and spat on the stones. "You do not have to think of that anymore. You're a Prince. You have a wonderful heart. You love your subjects and Princess. No more doubts."

"I'm not crowned yet. I…." he started before another whack on the arm stifled that point.

"Merlin, stop. All right?" She exhaled allowing Patience to soothe her jangled feelings and restore Grace to her inner self. "Now, I believe we have some plants to call forth?"

He nodded. For a half dozen heartbeats, he envisioned the dreamscape once again. He allowed the warm breeze from that place to billow through his hair. The scents tickled and teased his nostrils once more. I wish I could bring this here.

And why can't you, Emrys? the goddess supposed.

I don't want to bother you. I can raise a few things and…. he started.

As your sister in arms just told you, no more doubts. You serve me. Such a feat as this should stand as a reminder to how magic can bring beauty into the world. Focus and let me work through you, Emrys. Have faith and allow Amor her way. Imagine that place now, the goddess advised.

He nodded. He relaxed and pointed toward the bare dirt areas.

FÀS A-NIS! The goddess surged energy through him.

Gentle breezes kicked up throughout the courtyard. Orange and pink glows wafted together. They floated through the air. Then they permeated the dirt seeping until disappearing from view. The dirt shook ever so slightly.

Then Wonder happened….

Green sprouted from those empty dirt patches. Tender shoots pushed their way out of Dirt's cover and into Air's nourishment above. Vines snaked up racing with spontaneous wooden arbors in an unlikely race. Flowers sprouted to their full potential in mere heartbeats. And then they budded. They coaxed the trees into doing the same.

Color and Beauty's respective symphonies played out. Blossoms opened to please eyes and astound minds.

And so you have it. Call the others now. I wish for them to see it, the goddess observed.

He opened his eyes. He sighed. "Princess?"

"It's all right, Merlin. I received my wish." Josiane looked about the unique floral emporium. "Amazing!"

"This was the goddess' work. She's working through me right now."

"She is? She's here?" Josiane offered a nod toward the goddess.

Thank you for honoring me, Josiane of Alexandria. Magic and my stewardship are beneficial. As long as we have both here, this garden will bloom. As Faith and Love inspired its predecessor, so shall they sustain this place as well. The dome will remain above reinforced by my will, the goddess explained. Emrys, be proud. Perhaps we have worked our magic today. Still I work with what you give me. Now bring Mithian and the others. Let them enjoy this oasis, the goddess concluded before going silent.

He sucked in an awed breath. "Unbelievable. She actually made this come to life." He shook his head. He stumbled along the stoned paths. His noses sniffed deeply of the distinct blooms. Contentment washed away Awe. Indecision and Insecurity disappeared in light of Oasis' wonder. "Josiane?"

"Aye, Merlin?" Josiane asked.

"Can you bring King Rodor and Princess Mithian. We should let them see this," he requested.

"Fetch the King and Princess? I'll get them right away!" Josiane hurried out of the garden and into the passage toward the citadel's throne chamber. And to think his dreams and Mithian's inspired this. His love is a sight to behold. With his goddess and familia behind him, he can do anything. I wish he could stop doubting himself.

No more doubt. I can hope! Merlin nodded. He glanced toward the passage entrance. The wait would threaten to stop his heart. Still he would persevere.

And in the meantime, one more project in that place would top everything where Mithian was concerned. Accordingly, he set to work….