Chapter 20 [About 1000 Feet Up—Somewhere Between the Crystal Cave and Whitgate—A Third of the Hourglass Earlier]
Merlin breathed deeply. He closed his eyes. He struggled to control the energies pulsating inside of himself. The breeze blowing by his face. Tension and Doubt ate at him.
"Merlin." Kilgarrah rolled his eyes. "The goddess would not have selected you for this task if you were not ready." He ascended through the clouds. "Look at the stars and the Moon. Allow them to calm your mind. You must channel your magic to help the Queen."
"It's so much." Merlin clenched his fist. He felt his hair standing on end. His skin dimpled and tingled. "How can I save the Queen if I feel like this. What if I let the Princess down?"
Kilgarrah snarked. "It does seem that my earlier observation is correct after all, Merlin. Have we made a discovery, Merlin?"
Embarrassment flushed Merlin's face dark scarlet. "You are not helping!" He clenched his teeth.
You care for Queen Taene and your purpose, Balinor's Son. That is to your credit. You also care for Princess Mithian and her feelings. She knows you try for her sake. Have faith and confidence, Malodius added.
Thanks, Malodius. Wish I feel more secure. So much is at stake! Merlin pointed out.
Focus on the task. All you can control is what happens to the Queen. Everything else will come later, Malodius advised.
Merlin nodded. He understood their observations. He knew Queen Taene counted on him. His heart however pounded away. Desire pressured him
Failure couldn't be an option. He glanced toward the accompanying flying carpet. His eyes flowed on their own accord toward the brunette beauty riding on it. Purpose released still more butterflies.
Mithian could feel his anxiety. Wonder over the sudden changes overwhelmed her as well. Still, as a Princess, she knew Duty held the priority. She turned to Josiane. "Can we get closer?"
Josiane moved the carpet closer to Kilgarrah's head.
"Merlin! It will be all right!" Mithian yelled to him.
"I know you think that! I just have to control this!" Merlin grimaced. The blue aura sparked around himself.
"Father and I know you want to help. You did not put Mother in that bed. You will be the one to get her back on her feet. That is why we are bringing you to her. It will be all right," she assured him.
Merlin nodded. He was about to respond when a telepathic cue broke in. Merlin?
What? FREYA? Is that you? Merlin gasped. Surprise nearly loosened his grip.
Aye. The goddess brought me back to serve as her High Priestess. I am outside of Whitgate's citadel with Guinevere, Ywain and Lancelot. She is safe. Where are you? Freya looked around and out toward the square.
Look up. We are almost to Whitgate. It takes a while even for Kilgarrah to get back from the Crystal Cave, Merlin directed. Let the guards know that Princess Mithian, Princess Josiane and Malodius are with Kilgarrah and me.
Thank you, Merlin. We will see you soon, Freya concluded.
Merlin scratched the back of his head. And now Freya's back? She died! I saw her to the Lake of Avalon myself! He ground his teeth. How did Gwen get to Nemeth from Camelot? And she found Lancelot and Gawain too? He had to smile.
"And now the Druid girl returns? Why, Merlin…." Kilgarrah started to snark.
"She's a High Priestess. She's not available. Leave it be, Kilgarrah." Merlin twitched as another charge rushed up and down his spine. "Princess Mithian! We have some friends outside the citadel. Can you arrange for them to get inside?"
"Including this Freya, Merlin?" Mithian raised an eyebrow. Jealousy jabbed at her.
Merlin sighed. "I watched her die. She is now a High Priestess. Beyond that, I do not know. Guess we will find out. Our friends need to get in. Please." He bowed his head.
"Aye." Mithian relaxed. She understood that being a High Priestess imposed celibacy on that person. "Josiane, take us down in front of the citadel. Merlin, Kilgarrah, follow us down."
"Follow…?" Merlin peered down into the throng below. "Down there?"
"I can land in a small space, Merlin. They will move." Kilgarrah descended toward Whitgate. Memoria guided him through the walls' turrets and over the Lower City. He swooped over the Upper City's square. His shadow darkened that cobbled area.
Meantime Josiane brought Mithian, Britomart, Malodius and herself down on her carpet. "Friends?"
"Sir Harold, Sir Matthias, these travelers are with us. They will accompany us inside," Mithian instructed.
"Aye, Milady." Matthias bowed to her. She opened the door to allow them inside.
Needless to say, Amazement struck Gwen, Lancelot and even Gawain speechless (for once). The Middle Eastern woman on the flying carpet and the lion accompanying Mithian proved a sight. And that wasn't counting the glowing Merlin riding on the Great Dragon.
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "MERLIN? You have magic?"
"Bloody blazes! I knew you had your tricks but not like that. So that's what happened to the Wyverns," Gawain realized.
Lancelot shook his head. Even though he'd known Merlin's secret for a long time, his friend surprised him somehow. "And a Dragon Rider? I thought they were all dead."
Mithian stuck her head back out the door. She watched Merlin collect his thoughts. "Nay. Merlin it seems is the last one. We can speak later. The Queen needs us. Come on!" She ushered them inside.
Josiane rolled up her carpet. She watched Merlin climb down from Kilgarrah's back. "You are with me, Merlin. Let us follow the Princess."
Merlin nodded. "Thanks, Kilgarrah!"
"You are quite welcome, Merlin. Good fortune in there. I will come when you are ready. I do wish to speak with King Rodor when the time is right." Kilgarrah flapped his wings and took back off into the night.
"You do have some friends. Merlin." Josiane complimented.
"I try. Let's see what we can do." He followed her and the others inside….