Chapter 18 [Crystal Cave, Valley of the Fallen Kings]

Britannia's countryside sped by almost in a blur. Kilgarrah's wings and Josiane's carpet streaked across the plains and trees northward through Camelot and into Mercia. In barely a half of an hourglass' sandy flow, they crossed the White Mountains. They descended back along the tree tops.

Another heartbeat brought the two King Gatekeepers into view.

Merlin watched the landscape. He glanced back toward their companions on the flying carpet. His eyes lingered on Mithian.

"I never thought I would see you like this, Young Warlock," Kilgarrah snarked.

"Like what? We have a mission." Merlin ground his teeth.

"Your heart warms. Dare I say you are interested in Princess Mithian?" Kilgarrah eyed the brunette Princess.

Merlin blushed. He bowed his head. "You're not helping. We cannot be together."

"And why not? Uther and Arthur cannot hold you. You are a noble and Balinor's son. You have attracted royal attention. See where the night goes." Kilgarrah alighted next to the cave.

Josiane guided her carpet to land right next to Kilgarrah. She drew her scimitar. "Be on guard, Everyone! Thieves can hide in these dark woods."

Malodius rubbed up against Mithian's hip. His emerald eyes watched the darkened forest. He snarled low.

"Why did the goddess have us come here?" Mithian looked about herself.

"Perhaps it has to do with Queen Taene? The Crystal Cave is the source of all things magical." Merlin headed toward the cave.

"Magical? Merlin, the Queen needs medical attention not a sorcerous assist," Britomart insisted.

"Magic can heal medical and magical issues, Britomart." Josiane sat down on the carpet. "Even if I do not worship her, the triple goddess would not have sent us out of the way." She glanced toward the cave. "There is something there for him."

Mithian bit her lip. Despite only meeting Merlin two hours earlier, Worry stabbed at her heart. She knew her mother needed help. She didn't want him endangering himself in the process.

Amor had snared the hunter….

Merlin edged his way into the cave. Nerves ate at him. He stepped down the path toward the center. He kept his eyes away from the crystals. He focused on the path. Distraction loomed left and right as far as he was concerned.

Right now, Queen Taene needed help. Mithian needed reassurance.

Why am I here? I do not want to be guessing about some supposed future. Gaius would be telling me to be careful. He stepped into the cave's center.

"And well you should." Balinor appeared in a cobalt flash. Warmth shown in his eyes and smile. "Hello, Merlin."

"Father! Is it you?" Merlin stared at the apparition.

"Aye, Merlin. I am here. You have come so far in the past year." Balinor studied his son in turn. "You have found your shared voice. Kilgarrah and you work through your issues." He passed his hand over the crystals. "These have taught you of Caution, Discretion and Assumption."

"They made me do things." Merlin shook his head.

"Did they? Talesin showed you events from the future. Some happened. Some could have been avoided. We all make decisions. Those choices shape our futures and those around us. We do good things. We all make mistakes. Desperation is a poor mistress. Do not assume just because something seems to be the answer. Consider implications." Balinor sighed. "You can be quite rash."

"I have had to figure things out. I have to use my magic when nobody is looking. Even Arthur cannot know. He would have me exiled if he knew." Merlin frowned.

"Perhaps." Balinor folded his arms across his chest. "Before an hour ago, I would agree. Pay attention. A great deal will not be the same at night's end. The goddess has decided enough is enough. She intervenes even now."

"She sent us here. She wants me to help Queen Taene. She reconnected me to your legacy. Arthur will never allow it," Merlin replied.

"There you go again. Do not simply assume, Merlin. Perhaps he knows?" Balinor shrugged. "I told Arthur Pendragon about our link. I shared the truth about your encounter with Kilgarrah on that night."

Merlin stared. His jaw dropped. He shook his head. "You what? Arthur cannot know! He…"

"Perhaps he was ready to listen? He seemed so. Perhaps what you hear in Arthur is Uther's voice? He sees another way. Guinevere is worthy. So are you. Both of you will ascend. The path will take you away from Camelot yet parallel to it." Balinor rubbed Merlin's shoulder.

"Yeah she is. She and Arthur have to be together. But Morgana is…." Merlin saw Balinor shake his head. "What?"

"Morgana has accepted the outcome. She has made her choice. You and she will need to repair your relationship. Perhaps you both can bring an alliance between Nemeth and Tintagel?" Balinor saw Merlin still not getting his point. "Morgana, in addition to being Uther's daughter, is still Viviane's child as well. Gorlois accepted her before his death. She and the current King's son, Prince Accolon, have agreed to marry. She will be Tintagel's Queen in her stepfather's name. In such ways, the threat to Camelot has been removed."

"When did this happen? Earlier tonight, she was setting up the chantry for the wedding." Skepticism questioned Balinor's points in Merlin's mind.

I can be very convincing, Merlin.

His eyes went wide. "NIMUE?"

You have not forgotten me. How touching… Nimue chortled in his mind. Listen to your father, Merlin. We do not time for explanations now. Embrace who you are. Heal Taene. Accept your path.

Merlin scratched his head. "Accept?"

DO IT! she bellowed.

"I have to trust her." Merlin shook his head. Energy suddenly jarred him. Power flooded through every fiber of his body. He trembled.

"Do not fight it, Merlin! Let the crystals fill you with their power! They will boost your magic!" Balinor urged.

The crystals glowed. Luminescence dazzled and would blind anyone else.

Merlin felt his mind expanding. Instinct reached out. He felt Arthur fumbling with his true status. He noted Gwen being somehow close to Lancelot and Gawain of all people. He felt…he felt…

…Amor…Warmth…Fidelity…

His heart touched Mithian's

Aye! She is your anchor not the Pendragon! Accept that! Nimue snapped.

"Both will serve their purpose," Balinor corrected.

Merlin screamed and dropped to his knees. His eyes readjusted to the once more dim lighting. "It…it's over?"

"Nay, Merlin. It is just beginning." Balinor motioned over Merlin's right shoulder.

"MERLIN! MERLIN, ARE YOU THERE?" Mithian rushed down the cave path. She stopped. "You're glowing! Sir Balinor, what?"

"Merlin has accepted his true self, Princess." Balinor bowed to her.

"Thank you for helping him." She steadied Merlin. "You understand now?"

"I think so." Merlin grimaced. "I felt you there. You were worried?"

She smacked his arm. "Of course I am! I…." She trembled. "Merlin, I…" She grabbed onto him. She smashed her lips down on top of his.

Merlin surprised himself. He grabbed onto her. He returned the kiss. His heart beat with hers. "Wow."

"Those rough edges will take time." Mithian nodded. A sly smirk appeared on her face.

"Rough edges?" Merlin blinked at her.

"Aye. Every Prince needs to work out such things." Her eyes twinkled into his. She took his hand. "Let us help Mother. Then we will talk with Father."

Merlin looked toward Balinor. "Okay."

"Do not fight it, Merlin. It will be all right." Balinor disappeared from view.

Merlin sucked in a deep breath. He couldn't believe how everything had turned on its ear so suddenly. He glanced toward Mithian. "Are you all right?"

"I am trying to take this all in, Merlin. You have more layers than one might suspect at first." She held her hand out to him. "I would like to get to know them all."

"Let's take care of Queen Taene first. Stand with me?" He took her hand.

"I think I can manage that." Her eyes beamed at him. Her smile broadened as she led him from the cave.

Nemeth and his task awaited…After that, they'd have to see….