Chapter 44 [Whitgate—First Light]
Merlin gazed out his bedchamber window. Crimson and bloody hues stained the eastern sky. Sol burnished the clouds. Regret weighed on him. He was supposed to be married on that day. That night, he and Mithian should be together….
…Duty however was a cruel mistress…
What happened last night? He rubbed the back of his neck. Foreboding screamed at him. He had barely had any time to sleep on the previous evening. Every time he closed his eyes, visions of Camelot assaulted him. He saw knights strewn unconscious across the citadel's floors. Morgause and a towering knight in crimson held court in the throne chamber. Uther stood in the stocks. The occupying invaders pelted him with refuse and manure.
Camelot has fallen? He bit his lip. There is really an army that big! He shook his head. He walked over to the mirror. He smoothed the chain mail and checked his belt. His surcoat fit perfectly over them both.
His sword rested against his hip.
A knock at the door roused him from his reverie.
"Merlin? Might I come in?" Gaius called.
Merlin opened the door to find his former guardian waiting for him. "Come in." He nodded to the guard. Then he shut the door. "Well this is it." He smoothed his chain mail and sur coat. He bit his lip.
Gaius nodded. "You're determined to do this."
"I'm a Prince and knight now. Besides I am still standing beside Arthur." Merlin looked at himself in the mirror. "And I can bring something to this armor again."
"I am sure Sir Balinor would want you to take caution in this battle, Merlin. The odds are stacked against you." Gaius noticed Merlin's brow furrowing. "But you already know that." He knew Concern's tell-tale signs across the other's face. "Merlin, what is it?"
"I had a vision last night." Merlin bowed his head.
"Vision? Like the one after the Crystal Cave? Merlin, you were back there two days ago." Gaius rubbed his chin. "Did you see Talesin again?"
"Nay. The crystals increased my magic but that is it. There were no images this time." Merlin shrugged. "Camelot's fallen."
"What?" Gaius stared at him. "Merlin, you cannot be sure! Even if Cenred marched all night, he would not arrive for another few hours."
"It was not Cenred, Gaius." Merlin sighed. "It is worse." He gulped. "I saw crimson and black tunics on the knights." He shuddered.
"Crimson? It would not be Camelot's own knights. Then…." Gaius bowed his head. "Cawdor and Mercia together. Good grief!"
"They have combined their forces, Gaius. Morgause was in the throne room with that giant tyrant." Merlin peered out the window.
"Meleagant. Merlin, King Rodor cannot charge into battle without an allied force himself. There have to be 25,000-30,000 knights out there! If they have control of the keep and the town, it will not matter." Gaius raised the Eyebrow. "You have to let him know!"
"Of course I do! What is to stop them from striking out against Tintagel or here? We are but a two day march from there! Accolon's castle is a day to the south! They could strike at both!" Merlin clenched his fists.
"So you saw it too?"
The duo saw Morgana standing at the door with Mithian.
"An army blanketing the countryside. Waves of crimson and black under Cawdor and Mercia." Merlin confirmed. His eyes narrowed.
"My sister's plan realized." Morgana rolled her eyes.
"Camelot can hold out! Its walls are impregnable!" Mithian protested.
"Not to magical means, Mithian." Morgana shook her head. She looked to Merlin. "The tunnel?"
"It must have been." Merlin ground his teeth. "Morgause knew of it too. She must have had someone on the inside."
"She could have led a squadron of knights up the tunnel. They would have flanked Camelot's knights from behind. The citadel would fall without much of a fight. Morgause would capture Uther and the councilors," Gaius deduced.
"That is what happened." Merlin paled. "Queen Elena's plan depended on Camelot holding out. Now they have supplies and a base to strike out against the rest of us."
"Merlin, my father and the other rulers need to know! Accolon will march in blind!" Mithian protested. She grabbed onto his arm. "You cannot just charge into the battle. Listen to Master Gaius!"
"Accolon will hold in Tintagel. He saw what we did as well." Morgana assured them. "We will need Bors' and Annis' armies before we can even consider facing them."
"You will need help to confront Morgause, you Two." Gaius frowned at Morgana.
"Was that concern for me, Gaius? How touching." Morgana arched her eyebrow. Her eyes narrowed.
"Nay, my Lady. I believe that was practicality." Mithian squeezed Merlin's hands. "As for you, I do not want rash action. Do not even think about it! We have friends and allies! You are not alone!" She glared into his eyes.
"I have to…." Merlin started.
Merlin, do not test Mithian or me on this. We are of one mind. I can stop you if I wish, Freya sniped.
"Good grief! Who was that? That sounded like that priestess!" Gaius looked around.
"Well, well…Merlin." Morgana smirked at Merlin. "You are outvoted. I agree with them. For once, you are staying put."
"This must be why Gwen, Arthur and I were brought here. We would not be in Camelot." Gaius turned to Mithian. "Can we speak with your father?"
"Aye. Follow me. You too, Merlin." Mithian took his hand. "I am not letting you out of my sight."
Morgana coughed.
"Oh be quiet." Merlin scowled. He followed his fiancée and the others out of his chamber.
Plans were changing as they spoke….