"There were letters sent all over Albion with Agravaine's seal. Undoing the damage may be too late, My Lady," Leon said to Gwen, who was seated at the circular conference table with the knights and other advisors.
"What does Lord Agravaine say for himself?" Gwen asked, rubbing her temples in frustration.
"Nothing. He refuses to speak," Leon said.
"With everything that happened with Morgana, I haven't had a chance to speak with Princess Mithian. Has anyone spoken to her?" she asked.
"Only to inform her of the charges and make sure she is well," Elyan answered. "She continues to be guarded by her father's men, and attended by her own servants."
"I will speak with her when we adjourn. Perhaps she can convince Agravaine to open up," Gwen said. "What else do you have for me, Sir Leon?"
Their meeting lasted another hour, and Gwen's head was pounding by the end of it, with no healer available for a cure. She settled for a warm bowl of soup from the kitchen since they'd worked through lunch, insisting on walking down to get it herself. So many details to sort out, in order to prepare for an impending war, at the same time preparing for a wedding, likely her own. If this is the life of a queen, she wondered why anyone would choose it, other than for love. She rather missed the days where her greatest responsibility was pinning up Morgana's hair. But to spend her life with Arthur, she would gladly suffer the weight of a kingdom on her shoulders.
As promised, following their council meeting, and her hastily-eaten soup, Gwen paid Mithian a visit. She knocked on her chambers and at first there was no answer. Finally, she heard the bolt unlock and the door opened. Mithian looked dreadful, her eyes puffy from crying. Gwen looked upon her with pity.
"This must be very hard on you. I apologize for not coming by sooner," she said, entering and closing the door behind her.
"Your maid informed us that Morgana had taken ill. I understand," Mithian said.
"Had you any idea? What Lord Agravaine was doing? Was there anything suspicious that might have made you realize?"
"No, nothing at all. I'm sorry, My Lady, this is just very difficult for me. Could we speak another time?" Mithian said, looking very forlorn.
Gwen frowned. "He's going to be tried for treason, and Arthur will have to execute him if he's found guilty."
"But he's his uncle!" Mithian gasped.
"Which makes the betrayal even worse," Gwen said, grimly.
"I just assumed he would be able to return to Nemeth, to be exiled from Camelot," Mithian said, beginning to panic.
"I don't see how Arthur could permit that," Gwen said. "Are you sure you don't know anything that could help him?"
"No," she whispered.
"Okay. But perhaps you could go see him this evening during visitation, to convince him to talk. Explain himself. Find a way to resolve this. I know what it will do to Arthur to have to execute his own uncle. Family is everything to him," she said sadly. "And I know how much you love Agravaine, I would hate for you to suffer such a loss."
Mithian nodded, and Gwen left the room. She felt guilty for lying to Mithian, but what choice did she have? With Arthur, Morgana and Merlin gone, it was up to her to discover what subterfuge was occurring. She knew there was something more to the situation, but she could not figure out what.
After finishing her afternoon duties, and quickly eating the now-cold dinner that Eilidh had left for her in her chambers, she went to speak with Elyan. They took a walk through the courtyard, shivering in the dreary cold, her head covered to protect her hair from the drizzle.
"Is there anything more you can tell me about their relationship? I'm beginning to wonder, was the entire thing a sham? For Agravaine to get more control and betray Arthur? If so, what of Mithian?"
"Perhaps if Accolon was put under a love spell, so was Mithian," Elyan suggested.
"That makes sense, although it couldn't be the same spell. Merlin said the spell only worked because Accolon used to love Evaine. Mithian never loved Agravaine, so it would have to be different. She certainly is not acting as crazed as Accolon."
"How do we discover if it was sorcery? With nearly all of our sorcerers gone? Gaius and Alice have gone to the village to work on the cattle illness again."
"I suppose we shall have to do some investigating ourselves, Brother," Gwen said. "First, if Mithian goes to speak with Agravaine, we need to know what is said."
"I can handle that. And you?"
"I'm going to search her chambers when she goes."
"Not very queen-like behavior, I should think," he grinned.
Gwen gasped and then shook her head. "You know, don't you?"
He grinned. "About you and Arthur? Yeah, blokes talk, you know. I'm happy for you, truly. Did you think I wouldn't be? Is that why the big secret?"
"No, it's not that at all. We just didn't want to take away any attention from Morgana and Merlin. We were planning to announce our engagement after their wedding. But," she frowned. "I guess they won't be getting married now. Morgana actually asked us to get married in their stead. We are considering it."
Elyan gave her a sympathetic smile. "That is good news, amidst all the bad, at least. I do feel terrible for Merlin, he is madly in love with Morgana."
"Oh, Elyan, and she with him. Or at least she was before this terrible sorcery. The first time I ever caught her staring at him was this one time when we had a banquet and I just knew…" she said, telling him her observations. "I'd hoped for a long time they would find a way to be together. Even before I'd had the same hopes for Arthur and myself."
"So then when did this affair with Arthur begin?"
"You make it sound so sordid, Elyan," Gwen said with a grimace.
"No, of course not, but I honestly had no idea until the blokes started talking."
"And what did they have to say?" she asked, testily.
"Nothing bad, just that they'd noticed there was… a lot of time spent together," he said carefully. "In the evenings."
She groaned. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You deserved to hear it from Arthur and me."
"For what it's worth, I'm happy for you. If anyone deserves to be a queen, it's my sister," he said, squeezing her hand.
"Well, and you're about to be the brother-in-law to the king, that must be worth something when wooing the pretty maids of Camelot," she teased.
He laughed. "I certainly expect it will. Your good fortune is my good fortune, Sister."
. . .
"My Lord, how are you?" Mithian asked.
"Mithian," Agravaine said with surprise. "I didn't expect to see you."
"Why wouldn't I come? You're my husband," she said softly.
"I just thought… It doesn't matter. I am fine. This is simply a misunderstanding. Once I can speak with Arthur, it will be all cleared up," he said, putting on a false smile.
"Lady Gwen came to see me. She says Arthur intends to execute you for treason," she said, pulling her shawl around her tighter as she shivered.
Agravaine paled. "That is a problem, indeed."
"I don't know what to do! I didn't expect…," she looked around and lowered her voice. "We will find a way for you to escape. You can return to Nemeth, and Arthur wouldn't dare pursue you, not when he is about to fight Morgause."
"Then you don't know my foolish nephew very well. I don't intend to escape, my love," he touched her hand through the bars of the cell. He took a step closer, and touched her hair through the bars. He whispered, "Was any of it real?"
"I don't understand," she said, trembling.
He took a step away. "I will face my nephew, try to ensure he doesn't doom us all in these follies."
"Agravaine, I'm sorry," she whispered.
"All will be fine, my love. You must return to Nemeth immediately, however," he said.
"No, not without you," she said firmly.
"I would not normally pull rank on you as your husband, Mithian. That isn't the sort of husband I intended to be to you, having seen what my dear sister suffered. But this is for your safety, and your safety is everything. If Camelot and Nemeth are to no longer be allies, you could become a hostage. You may already be a hostage. You need to leave Camelot without telling anyone. Now. Take only your guard."
"My Lord, I…," the argument died on her tongue, seeing the stern look upon his face. "Yes, My Lord."
His countenance softened. "I am certain I will join you soon."
She nodded, and left.
He slumped onto the floor, his hands on his head, stricken with a throbbing pain in his temple. But never mind. He didn't expect he would have a head for much longer.
. . .
Evaine entered her chambers in a particularly foul mood. Lord Ector hadn't so much as looked at her since Accolon had lost his challenge to Arthur, but his retched son Kay was making her life particularly miserable. She should have just poisoned them both instead of conspiring with that witch; she could be on her way to Gaul by now.
She was in an even worse mood to find the witch sitting at her vanity.
"What do you want?" she asked, flatly.
"Is that any way to talk to the sorceress who granted your wish?" Morgause asked, brushing her hair. Morgause looked like she'd be dragged behind a horse, frankly. The last thing she wanted was her touching her things.
"Granted my wish? You did nothing of the sort. I wanted to be Queen. All you've done is ruin my reputation," Evaine scowled.
"It isn't my fault Arthur Pendragon decided to intervene on your husband's behalf. I helped you sabotage his sword. Are you telling me Accolon couldn't even defeat a man with a broken sword? So he's dead? Pathetic," she said, using Evaine's powder to cover up the bruising on her face.
"Accolon lives, as does Arthur," Evaine said, through clenched teeth.
"Is that so? Well, Accolon will only try again to sweep you away to Gaul. He's still enchanted, and will remain so."
"Wrong again, Morgause," Evaine seethed. "Somehow Morgana broke the spell. Accolon has already left Camelot, and he's bringing his men to fight you."
"That's impossible!" Morgause said, her face red with rage. "She couldn't possibly undo my magic!"
"Well, somehow she did. There's even talk that she will be marrying Accolon instead!" Evaine lamented.
Morgause looked confused before it all suddenly made sense. "She's marrying… oh, that's what all that was about."
"What all what was about?" Evaine asked, suddenly exhausted by it all.
"Merlin did this," Morgause said, gesturing at her disheveled look. "When he attacked me, he said something about me killing Morgana's love for him. You failed to mention my sister was Accolon's former lover. That's the only way she could have countered my magic; she redirected it to herself, binding herself to him."
She rolled her eyes. "How was I supposed to know that? I never heard about that from the ladies of the Court. Well, now he loves her instead of me, and wants to make her queen instead. How are you going to fix that?"
"I'm not sure I can even if I wanted to," she mused. "I took Merlin's magic away when we fought. Did he even survive the return trip home?"
"I've not seen Lord Merlin, nor Morgana and Arthur, since yesterday. No one knows where they are. Only Morgana's maid has been seen in Court, strutting about like she's the queen."
"Where could they be?" Morgause demanded.
"All I know is Accolon left with Merlin's father back to Gaul. Everything else is rumor and speculation. So how do I get him back?" Evaine emphasized.
"You don't. You should just kill him," Morgause shrugged.
"I don't want to kill him! I want to be queen!" she practically shrieked in fury.
"Well, I do as well, but the path to that outcome seems to be narrowing with the involvement of Gaul. He'll have to be dealt with," Morgause said, and with a whisper, disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Evaine swatted the air in front of her and coughed. "Disgusting."
. . .
Mithian packed a bag as Morgause appeared in front of her. "Where do you think you're going?"
She glared at Morgause. "My husband has been arrested for treason, and I'm leaving before I end up in a cell next to him. I've done everything you've asked. Where are the poppets?"
Morgause sighed. "You aren't going anywhere, I need you here."
"Why? What more could I possibly do?" Mithian said, on the brinks of hysterics. "The southern ports were opened like you wanted, and war is upon us. I don't intend to be here when Camelot is sacked. I don't think I need to tell you what happens to women when cities are sacked."
"No, I don't suppose you do. But I won't let that happen, not to you, my poppet," she said, smiling sweetly.
"I want to return home. With my husband. I was able to help your friends escape, I can help him too," she said.
"Your husband? Don't tell me you care what happens to him?" Morgause said, surprised.
"I care because his fate is of my doing. If he's executed…"
"Then Arthur will be devastated at the betrayal of a family member. And Agravaine's allies will abandon Arthur."
Mithian hesitated, then came to a decision. "If he comes with me, then we will block Accolon's men from travel through Nemeth, you have my word."
Morgause considered her offer. "Fine. I suppose that would be worth your return to Nemeth. Remember, the poppets will be returned to you only once Arthur dies. Interfere in my plans, and your entire kingdom will suffer, starting with your father." She leaned in to whisper, "His death won't be quick."
Morgause disappeared again.
. . .
"Mithian, what are you…?" Agravaine said, waking up to the sound of the cell door opening.
"I've drugged the guards. Come, we haven't much time," she said nervously.
"I told you, I can't possibly leave," Agravaine said. "You must go, without me. It's the only way you'll be safe."
"Please!" she said, beginning to cry. "This is my fault! I can't let you die here! I did this, to protect my father, to protect Nemeth, from that witch Morgause. I'm sorry for all of it, and I can't take back what I've done, but I can at least save your life!"
"Mithian, my love," he said, pulling her close as she began to sob.
"Oh, Mithian," Gwen sighed, coming around the corner, flanked by Percival and Elyan. "You could have come to us, we could have fixed this."
Mithian pulled away from Agravaine, unable to look either of them in the eye. "I'm so sorry. It wasn't supposed to go this far. But she'll kill my father and she'll poison my people."
Gwen frowned, stepping forward. "Mithian, we are going to protect your father and Nemeth, and we're going to make this right. Now, sit down and tell us everything before the guards come to."
. . .
"Are you sure about this, Gwen?" Mithian asked, as they saddled the horses.
"I'm sure," she said. "It's the only way to ensure that our allies remain our allies. We can undo the damage Morgause has done in that regard, and we can keep Rodor and Nemeth safe from her."
"But won't Arthur be angry with you for letting us go?"
"If he is, he'll have to get used to me making decisions he doesn't like. I will be Queen in a week's time," she smiled.
They led the horses out to the shaded pasture, enough for Mithian, Agravaine and two of her guards. They were all dressed as commoners.
"You must travel quickly, the roads are full of bandits," Percival told the guards. "But you can join the caravan to Nemeth if you ride hard tonight."
"Please send word once you've arrived, as we agreed," Gwen said, embracing Agravaine. "I'm sorry you won't be here for the wedding, Uncle. But Arthur will be so relieved to know you did not betray him."
"No, it was me who betrayed him," Mithian said. "I'm so sorry, Gwen."
"I understand. I know I would have done anything to save my father if I could have, but you're making it right now. We will win this war, and Morgause will be defeated. Have faith, Your Highness," she said, embracing her.
"Thank you. Your Majesty," Mithian said with a small smile, bowing her head and giving a curtsey.
Gwen chuckled. That will take some getting used to, indeed.
. . .
They rode away, traveling through the night until they reached the trade caravan. They were able to purchase a wagon to hitch their horses to, and her guards took turns sleeping while the other drove. She and Agravaine slept in the back during the entire day's travels, exhausted from the previous night.
They awakened when the caravan stopped for the night. Agravaine assured the guards that he was fully rested and would keep watch. Unsure with what to do with herself, Mithian joined him at the fire.
"You must hate me," she said, quietly. "For all I've done."
He sighed. "I could never."
"Once we are in Nemeth, my father will grant you an annulment," she said. "I am truly sorry for the pain I've caused you. For all of the harm I've caused."
"An annulment," he pondered. "So, we never actually…"
She flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry. I had to make you think we'd… but I would never…"
"Ah, yes, I'm sure the idea of being with me was quite repulsive to you," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"No, it wasn't that, My Lord. Only the idea of taking away your agency," she said, her head hung in shame. "It was the only way I had to protect you from my harmful actions, to not bind you to me against your will. To consummate our union would have been an act of fraud, and I am not so unscrupulous as to do such a thing to you."
"You never really loved me. Did I ever really love you? Or am I under a witch's spell?" he asked.
"There was never a spell, I promise," she assured him. "Your feelings for me were always genuine."
"I'm not sure that's better, frankly," he said. "I suppose that just makes me a fool."
She flushed with shame. "No, never, please don't say that. I exploited your feelings, I turned something beautiful like love into something hideous, a betrayal. You should hate me."
"And yet, I cannot," he said, softly. "If you never loved me, why free me? Why not leave me to my fate?"
"Your fate was my responsibility, My Lord," she said. "I have done terrible things to you, I know, but I could not leave you to suffer the consequences of my actions. You had to know immediately who betrayed you, yet you did not tell Arthur it was me. Instead, you tried to send me away, knowing what fate would befall you. I may not love you as you love me, but I intend to protect you, as you protected me."
He was quiet for a few moments, then working up the courage, asked, "What happens to me after we reach Nemeth? What happens to us?"
"I leave that up to you, since I have taken away your choices thus far. I can only imagine you would not wish to look upon me any further," she said, staring at her lap.
"What I wish is that…" he began, but stopped. He sighed. "I wish only for your happiness, Mithian."
She looked at him, shocked. "How can you be so kind to me, after…?"
"Despite your betrayal, I know your heart. What you did, you did for your father and your people, and while misguided, that kind of devotion to your king and your kingdom… it is your strength," he said simply. He left the warmth of the fire, to sit beside the wagon, leaving her to think.
. . .
Accolon looked both ways down the corridor. All clear. He bent down, touching his toes and stretching his back. Guard duty was always so tedious. He would much rather be on patrol. When his father had sent him to Camelot to train, he thought becoming a knight would be exciting. Sometimes it was. Sometimes it was just working in the practice yard or standing around.
He quickly stood back up at attention as he heard soft footsteps down the corridor. He suspected it was the king's ward, and was correct, seeing her turn the corner.
"Sir Accolon," she greeted, as she reached her chamber door.
"My Lady," he responded, watching her enter.
Not long after, the prince's manservant walked down the hall. Merlin hesitated as he saw him. "Oh, hello."
"Merlin," he greeted him.
"I just, um, needed to deliver this to the Lady Morgana," he said, holding up a vial.
Accolon nodded, and watched as Merlin knocked. The Lady answered the door and let him inside. Obviously not merely a delivery, he thought.
He heard whispered voices coming from the open room, and a few moments later, Merlin left.
The evening was quiet; it seemed the occupants of the castle had retired early. The prince was already in his chambers, as was the king, down the next hallway. It gave Accolon time to sort his thoughts.
He knew she loved him, of that he was certain. But she had denied him anyway. "We can't be together," Evaine had told him. "I need more than you can give me."
"Give me time," he had said. "I will win tournaments in your honor. I will build up my father's modest estate once it falls to me. I will give you the life you deserve."
"I cannot wait for you," she had said, breaking his heart.
Soon after, her wedding had taken place, and she had moved into her husband's castle a day's ride away. And here he was, guarding an empty hallway.
The door to Morgana's chambers creaked open, and she walked out to the hallway.
"I'm going for some fresh air," she explained.
"I shall accompany you, My Lady," he said.
He walked respectfully behind her as she climbed the steps, to look over the parapet. He caught a glimpse of her face in the moonlight, and realized her countenance reflected his own feelings. Emptiness. Confinement. Longing.
"My Lady, does something trouble you?" he asked, softly.
She turned to him and smiled sadly. "A great deal, in fact. I suppose the same can be said for you. I am sorry about how your courtship ended with Lady Evaine."
He looked at her with surprise. He didn't think she would know. She answered his silent question with, "Ladies of the Court are notorious gossips."
"Then everyone knows," he frowned.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you more distress," she said, taking a step towards him. "No one thinks ill of you, least of all me. I only meant to offer my sympathy. I know what it is to love and it not be reciprocated."
"Surely not, My Lady. What fool would not return the love of a woman so beautiful and charming?" he asked, shocked.
She laughed. "One that wishes to keep his head, I suppose."
He was again surprised. "Your love is not permitted?"
She nodded. "You'll keep my confidence?"
"Of course, My Lady," he said.
She smiled. "Thank you."
"I would have suspected one of the knights. Sir Morien, for instance."
"Ah, no. A brief affair, a mere distraction, nothing more. Although I don't suppose he's very fond of me these days, considering I refused his proposal. He enjoyed my status more than my company."
"To hear him tell it, it was the other way around," he grinned.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, I can only imagine."
Accolon said thoughtfully. "Although, I always assumed you would be betrothed to the prince."
She made a face. "Certainly not. Uther has never brought it up, although members of the Court favor it. And I would never consent. Arthur is… like a brother to me," she said, choosing her words carefully.
"I suppose that makes sense, you've been raised together since you were children," he said. "So, then, your love, is he…?"
"Please do not speculate," she said. "I do not wish to put him in danger. Especially since my feelings are not even returned."
"Of course, My Lady," he said. He paused a moment, then continued. "So, how do we get passed this… longing? How do we go on knowing we can never be with the person we love?"
She looked at him with understanding. "I wish I knew," she said, softly. "My heart will not forget him, no matter how I've tried."
"To see her with another is torment. All I want to do is forget," he said, softly. He noticed she was beginning to shiver in the cool drizzle. "We should return to your chambers, you'll catch cold out here."
He walked her back down the stairs, to her chamber door. She opened it, and stopped.
"Accolon," she said in a low voice, at a whisper in his ear. "Come inside and help me forget."
From then on, guard duty was no longer something Accolon dreaded. It was only occasional, but the nights he spent with Morgana were a welcomed distraction from the torment he felt during the day, seeing Evaine on Lord Ector's arm.
Then his father suddenly passed away. He would need to leave, to manage his father's struggling estate. He was going to miss her terribly, he suddenly realized. He wasn't in love with her, but she had been a comfort, and he didn't want to part from her.
"Come with me. Wed me," he insisted, and not for the first time. He had proposed out of a sense of honor after their first night together, and to his relief, her response had been to laugh. This time, however, he almost meant it. "I know I'm not him, but if we can't be with the one we love, that doesn't mean we cannot be content with each other. I do not ask because of your relationship with the king, but because of my affection for you. Perhaps we could both find happiness with distance away from those we love."
"Oh Accolon," she said, holding him against her chest. "That wouldn't be fair to either of us. You deserve more than contentment, more than being someone's mere consolation. As do I."
"I know. But I will miss you," he said, listening to her heart beat.
"And I you. I will always treasure our friendship and the comfort we brought to one another. I do hold love for you in my heart," she said.
"And I you. But it doesn't measure up to the love you feel for him, or I for her," he finished. "I understand. Love is impossible to forget."
Accolon woke up from the dream, repeating the words he'd once told Morgana. "Love is impossible to forget."
But it was apparently easy to manipulate, he realized. He put a pillow over his face to shut out the bright light from outside. He felt hungover, despite having had no drink the day before.
How had his feelings become so twisted? He had fought his friend, his former king, for Evaine. He had nearly killed his friend. Nearly died himself. How he loved her, but he never could imagine doing something so dreadful. The magic had twisted him, he realized. It was the ring he had worn, Morgana had told him. The token of her love that Evaine had given him that day he arrived drove him to madness.
Manipulation is all it was. He had been a fool, willing to take Evaine as a lover behind her husband's back even before the enchantment. He supposed this was his punishment for acting so dishonorably, thinking he had the right to act on his feelings if the lady wanted him. It turned out that he was not what Evaine wanted at all, she only wanted to be queen. And it very nearly had gotten him killed.
He searched his feelings for her and found only a dull ache. His love for Evaine was now tainted with her betrayal. And it was only through a selfless act by his former lover that the spell was broken, one that was supposed to bind him to her.
He wondered why he didn't still feel that passion for Morgana he had felt yesterday. He had been eager to return to her when he went to sleep last night, especially eager to return to Camelot to wed her. But now, suddenly, he realized he didn't want that at all. She loved Merlin, she was betrothed to Merlin. He had been happy for her, enough to travel to attend her wedding, he remembered.
She'd said the counter-spell would make her forget her love for Merlin, and make them love only each other. So why does he not love her now? Was that spell able to be broken as well?
"Love is impossible to forget," he repeated. Perhaps that is the answer.
Love can certainly die though, he is now convinced of that. For the first time in years, the weight of Evaine's rejection has been lifted from his chest, and he feels only relief and not regret. Her betrayal had finally ended it.
He rose from the bed and looked at himself in the mirror. He touched the spot gingerly where Arthur had run him through with his sword. Such madness. He was lucky to be alive, lucky all that remained of that fight is some light bruising. Morgana and Merlin had healed his broken body, and then were willing to sacrifice their own happiness to save his broken mind. The significance of that momentous act was not lost on him.
He quickly dressed himself. He had work to do to save Camelot. What he hadn't forgotten was his love for Morgana and Arthur, and the kingdom he will always think of as his home.