Chapter 25 [A Few Hours Later]
[A/N: Lady Laudine (reference) is Chretien's. Also Percival in general tolerates magic use. I think he was caught off guard by Morgana's display not to mention Merlin's abilities and the potential threat to Gwen and Blancheflor.]
Royal dignitaries and noble guests both from within Nemeth and neighboring realms made their way toward the palace. Inns quickly filled. Taverns overflowed their capacity. Even stables held as many human guests as they did animals. Excitement bubbled up throughout Whitgate itself.
Royal weddings, after all, represented a once in a generation celebration….
[Merlin's Chamber]
Merlin gazed out of his chamber window toward the city below. He smiled at Exuberance's and Celebration's scenes in the streets. Relief lightened his mind that he'd saved Arthur and the knights from Morgana. He wished that Orfeo hadn't died at Morgana's hand. He shook his head.
Even in Celebration's revelry, Duty's heavy hand could be felt.
Mithian said it. This is our special time. Everyone's enjoying themselves. Why can't we? He shook his head. His heart tugged toward Mithan's chamber. I wish I could see her. Traditions forbid it. He sulked. Arthur's angry at me. He's sure to be angry at Mordred for magic. Why can he not see that magic is neither good nor evil. He shook his head.
A knocking came from the door. Sir Randolph stuck his head in. "Pardon me, Prince Merlin?" He bowed.
"Aye, Sir Randolph?" Merlin turned to face the knight.
"King Rodor requests your presence in his council chamber. Please follow me," Randolph requested. He waited by the door.
He wants to see me now? What did I do? Concern ate at him. He checked his robes in the mirror and tightened his belt. "Lead me to the King."
"Aye, my Prince. This way," Randolph reiterated. He led the Prince down the stairs and through the passages toward the council chamber. He stopped in front of the chamber and knocked.
Lancelot opened the door. "Come in." He bowed and motioned Merlin and Randolph inside.
Merlin glanced around the area. Besides Lancelot at the door, Gawain, Percival, Mordred, Galahad, Ywain, Britomart and several unfamiliar female warriors stood along a respective wall. Around the council table, Rodor and Mithian discussed matters with Josiane, Cligés, Arthur, Gwen, Bors, Vivian, Annis and a woman in seeming Ancient Greek armor. "Sire?"
"Ah, Prince Merlin! Do come in!" Rodor beckoned him forward with his fingers. "Are you rested?"
"I used the time to consider the afternoon's events, Sire. Thank you." Merlin nodded to his father-in-law. "Queen Annis, it is good to see you again. King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, welcome."
"Merlin." Arthur cleared his throat. He frowned.
"Let it go," Josiane hissed at him. Her eyes glared into his.
"King Arthur, it is time to let go of the obsession," the unknown woman insisted. "After all, this is what the third time the Prince has used his magic here in Nemeth. Is it not, King Rodor?"
"Excuse me? Third time?" Rodor glanced at Mithian. "Do you know of this other instance?"
"Nay, Father." Mithian raised an eyebrow. "My Prince, do you know of what Queen Elena speaks?"
"Aye, Arthur. Please tell us," Arthur goaded. "It is not like you snatched victory from the jaws of defeat or some such drivel."
Merlin nodded. He did indeed remember the occasion. "Queen Elena, were you at Astolat? I know a few Amazons assisted Uther."
"Aye." Queen Elena. "And as with Lady Britomart and you, I was a servant with fighting skills." She took a draught from her goblet. "King Meleagant came down from the north with Cawdor's crimson hordes. Uther marched with his knights from Camelot. With the help of High Priestess Nimue, Queen Radegund led her warriors on Nemeth and Camelot's side. Despite our triple alliance, the Cawdorians pushed us back."
"Aye, aye…they did." Arthur shook his head. "We held our own for much of that day. And then something really weird happened." He narrowed his eyes.
"A sudden earthquake on seemingly stable land," Rodor recalled. "Just like the way the tomb chamber shook." He shook his head. "You did that. Didn't you, Merlin?"
Merlin nodded. "Aye. I did. It turned the tide. Didn't it?"
Arthur sniffed. "Merlin, you cheated!"
"WHAT?" Disgust slackened Merlin's jaw. His eyes went wide. "I saved three kingdoms! I gave Uther and you a victory! I saved King Rodor and Princess Mithian! You owe your life to my "cheating" hundreds of times over!" He turned to Elena. "You knew?"
"I saw you do it. Knowing Camelot's attitude toward sorcery, I have kept your secret until now, Prince Merlin. What happened after that right outside of this structure needs not be brought up again." She glared at Arthur. "Nay. This is a new age. Prince Merlin, you have Amazonia's undying gratitude. King Rodor and Princess Mithian, I believe we should talk about a treaty of alliance and friendship?"
"I would be honored, Queen Elena," Rodor agreed. "We should talk after tomorrow's handfasting. Meantime, Prince Merlin, it seems we have another achievement of yours to celebrate. I cannot believe you were not knighted after that."
"Father would've burnt him at the stake with that woman for sorcery," Arthur insisted.
"And still you go on?" Mithian complained. "Prince Merlin's bravery and deeds are well established! King Uther has been gone for years now. Yet you remain narrow minded!"
"I could speak of how he risked his life to follow you into my camp, Arthur Pendragon," Annis reminded him. "Your fool as you put it?"
"That is what I said." Arthur shook his head.
"My role was to protect Arthur. That's what I did." Merlin stood firm. "My magic is like a sword or a battering ram. It is a tool or instrument. No more, no less. I used in service to the Five Kingdoms. I did the same against Odin's men a fortnight ago. I will do so again."
"We have our peace and our meeting due to Merlin's magic. I suggest we think on that," Rodor noted.
"Prince Merlin, we all owe you thanks again for that and this afternoon."
"I did my duty, Sire. I serve Princess Mithian, you and our people." Merlin nodded to him once again. "I would thank Princess Josiane, Gawain, Lancelot, Malodius and Kilgarrah the Great Dragon for their aid. Without them, it would have been much harder."
"And modest as well. Ah, Prince Merlin, do not change." Approval warmed Rodor's glance and smile. "I have a feast ready for us. If we're ready…."
"Hold, King Rodor. Before we go, I'd like to offer you two more knights for your service if you'd like their swords," Arthur interjected.
"King Arthur, this is most irregular. We can speak on this in private," Rodor assumed.
"It is to benefit both of our realms. Sir Percival and Sir Mordred will serve you well. Each has expressed a desire to join your knights. I grant them their leave to do so," Arthur offered.
Rodor looked to Mithian and then to Merlin. Getting nods from each of them, he cleared his throat. "Thank you, King Arthur." He turned to Percival and Mordred. "Sir Percival, I know Lady Blancheflor will be overjoyed to hear of this. I accept your service. Sir Mordred? What is this? I thought you were content in Camelot's service?"
"I was." Mordred glanced to Arthur. "We have a difference of opinion."
"Morgana revealed he has magic," Arthur clarified. "I cannot have that. Rather than embarrass him, I have decided to let him go. Mordred, you can serve best here."
"Aye. I can. If I have Prince Merlin's trust?" Mordred proposed.
Merlin nodded. "I have no reason to doubt you." Especially since the prophecy will not come to pass. "It is up to King Rodor."
"I see no reason why we should not." Rodor stood and walked over to Percival and Mordred. "Kneel, both of you." When they had, he started, "Do you swear to serve Nemeth and your royal house? Will you protect all of our peoples? Will you put our kingdom before yourself? What say you?"
"We so swear," Percival and Mordred chorused.
"And I hold your oaths." Rodor tapped them each on the shoulders with his sword. "Arise a knight, of Nemeth, Sir Percival and Sir Mordred. Welcome to our service." He clapped each one on the arm. "I await word of your exploits and service."
"Thank you." Mordred bowed. I am free!
We are free. Great, isn't it? Merlin supposed giving him a smirk. "Sire, I suppose we have a toast coming for our new knights in the banquet chamber? Perhaps Priestess Freya can help with some handfastings as well?"
"Indeed so! Sir Percival, Sir Lancelot and Sir Ywain, I believe?" Rodor recalled.
"Sire?" Mordred spoke up. "There is someone I would ask. If she says aye, we would like to be handfasted."
"And I'd add Sir Gawain as well if he'd have me," Britomart interjected.
Gawain frowned. Granted, his heart skipped a beat. Still, Hesitation dogged Commitment's readiness to jump into the ceremony. "Brit, you in a hurry?"
"Gawain, marriage will do you good," Lancelot reminded him.
"Says the guy who's ready to slap on the ball and chain as is." Gawain sighed.
"Gawain. You aren't my knight anymore but do something for me?" Arthur requested.
"Yeah what?" Gawain retorted.
"Shut up and marry that woman already. If she's ready to put up with you, she's the one. Quit being such a cabbagehead," Arthur chided.
"Father, perhaps we might have a truly splendid celebration?" Mithian proposed. "Perhaps next week, they can support each other?"
"If they are agreeable, we can. Tomorrow belongs to Prince Merlin and you, my Daughter. Do not forget that." Rodor rubbed her arm. "One last question." He looked at his own knights. "I have granted my blessing to Lancelot, Lady Elaine, Gawain and Lady Britomart. Mordred, you may bring your beloved here. Ywain, I believe you asked about Lady Laudine de Landuc?"
"Aye, Sire. I do. I promised her my hand. As with Sir Percival's vow to Lady Blancheflor, Lady Laudine awaits my commitment," Ywain replied.
"A woman of that quality would be a worthy ally indeed. I agree, Sir Ywain. I give you blessing to do so," Rodor agreed. "Now is there any other business of such pleasantness?" Not seeing anyone else, he motioned to adjourn. He stepped by Merlin. "You see what you inspire? Have faith in yourself." He patted the younger man on the arm. "Come."
Merlin sucked in a deep breath. Seeing the other knights' smiles, grins and smirks, he shrugged and waited by the door.
"I agree with Father but then I'm in love with you—rough edges and all, my Prince." Mithian took his hand in hers and led him into the passage.
That was the start of a truly splendid evening….