Chapter 46 [Mithian's Bedchamber]
[A/N: Fireworks any one? Well not exactly but there's an explosive twist for Mithian.]
Mithian paced about her bedchamber. Worry already ate at her. Why I cannot serve is beyond me! Does Father think because I am a woman I cannot be an effective scout? My crossbow would claim its share of enemy knights!
"Calm yourself, Mithian. It is not helping." Taene frowned. "I am worried as well. Your father and Merlin are too valuable to throw away for an overwhelming battle." She raised her goblet and took a mouthful of wine. "Certainly you do not consider me cavalier. Do you?"
"Nay. I am an expert hunter and tracker. I can serve as a scout." Mithian ground her teeth. "I am supposed to be serving the kingdom. Those are my best talents!"
"You and I are the regents. Mithian, nobody is discounting your skills. Consider though if you are captured? Then what? You would be a hostage or worse. Perhaps they would abuse you. They could use you as bait in a trap for Merlin. They could kill Uther and you together on the pyre. Nay. We are both staying here."
Hunith bit her lip. She and Merlin are a pair! They both do not understand that they need to stay safe! She shook her head but kept her views to herself.
Mithian sighed with a coarse huff. She gulped from her wine. "I mean no disrespect. I just cannot bear to watch Father or Merlin out there."
"As you said, we are serving the kingdom. We do so here. Your father and Merlin from out there. If all goes right, we shall be together again." Taene shrugged. "I hate this as much as you do. Merlin has his father's outlook. Do you think the suicidal charges are just him? That was Sir Balinor's tact as well."
"That is what the chronicles have said." Mithian bowed her head. She whispered a silent prayer.
"We want to see cheer before we leave!" Rodor led Merlin into the bedchamber. "We have our plan. We have allies. We have to believe in ourselves."
"I know, Father. I just wish I could be out there with you both." Lament sagged on Mithian's shoulders. "I can serve best on the lines."
"I know. Your father made his decision. You will be riding right along with me." Merlin embraced his Princess. "Just have faith. Maybe say a few prayers?"
"I will be." Mithian gazed deep into his eyes. "Just do not do anything stupid."
"Me? I will be careful." Merlin did not believe that comment even as it heard himself say it.
Hunith let out an uncharacteristic snort. "I have heard that before, Merlin. I wish we could keep you here as well."
"Mother, I have to be there. Kilgarrah is keeping me out of their range." Merlin tried to reassure her.
"Are those best evasions, Merlin? I wonder how you fooled Arthur for so long?" Mithian jabbed.
"Best lies have some truth and are right under your nose." Merlin hugged his mother. "Stay well."
"I am going to worry myself sick until you land right out there. I know you though." Hunith shook her head. She placed her head against his chest. "I am glad I did not know what your father really did."
"We do our duty, Mother." Merlin kissed the top of her head. Then he turned to his fiancée. "No unexpected hunting trips. We do not know if there are any spies around here."
"You are being so helpful, my Prince." Mithian pouted.
"I want you to be safe." Merlin countered.
"And you do not think I want you safe? Merlin!" Mithian grabbed onto him. "I have waited so long for someone like you! You know some of the knights think you have cast a love spell on me?" She snorted.
"They what?" Rodor frowned. "I will put an end to that!"
"After the battle please, Sire." Merlin kissed Mithian's forehead. "It's more likely that you snagged me in the woods."
"What?" Mithian raised an eyebrow. She saw his smirk and eyes twinkling at her. "I am not laughing!"
"I would not care if you did. You and I are here." Merlin raised her face to look into her eyes. "Our handfasting is postponed not cancelled. Understand? As soon as this is over, Freya is joining us together. I want that more than anything."
"I know." Mithian sighed. "Just do not be an idiot!"
"If I can handle myself with Arthur and the knights charging into every fight, I can do this as well. Besides we have Gawain, Lancelot and Britomart right there with us." He smiled for her benefit.
"Now I am going to worry about Britomart too." Mithian shook her head. "I cannot believe this. I always said I would not be like this before a battle. Now I am." She looked around. "Mother, Father, I know you will disagree but…." She pressed her lips against Merlin's. Amor poured into him.
Instinct pushed him to return the gesture. He grabbed onto her. His mouth pushed back against hers. Amor returned toward its starting point.
Hearts joined. Minds and souls flowed.
Crimson and white lights cascaded across the chamber. The engaged couple floated in midair.
Awe froze the King and Queen in their tracks. They struggled to understand the event playing out in front of them.
Morgana rushed into the chamber. "What is…?" She stared.
Malodius considered the sight from the passage. He'd heard of such things of course. Still he'd never in his millennium-long existence had ever seen such a sorcerous joining.
"Queen Morgana, do you know what is happening to them?" Taene demanded.
"It's a joining. Does Princess Mithian have magic?" Morgana examined the floating couple. "So much for keeping Merlin's magic from Morgause." She saw the lights spinning faster. She felt the energy building from within them. "Everyone! GET DOWN!" She raised her hands. Her eyes glinted canary. "Raon feachd!"
A glowing energy field appeared between the royals and Hunith on one side and the couple on the other.
The energy exploded forth in an explosion. The force shook the palace. The room's contents splintered in the light and sonic concussive blast.
Merlin and Mithian flew in opposite directions. She landed on the devastated mattress. He somehow managed to skid across the polished floor and land against the overturned couch's cushions.
BALINOR'S SON! MY PRINCE! Malodius nudged the unconscious Merlin with his paw.
I hear you. Merlin grimaced. He slowly pulled himself to his feet.
"Who is yelling about Merlin?" Mithian rubbed her forehead.
"Thank the goddess!" Taene grabbed onto Mithian. "Are you all right?"
"I…I think so." Mithian grimaced. "It…it…" She felt energy building in her hand. She opened it.
Flames burned in the center of her hand.
"Your hand is on fire!" Rodor tried to smother the flames. He could not believe the flames were not going out.
"It does not hurt, Father. But what is this? Where is it coming from? I…." Mithian looked toward the ceiling.
A shower of rose petals coated the entire floor.
"Mithian, you have magic." Merlin shook his head. He did not think she could do such things. "Bidh peadalan a 'dol à sealladh!"
The rose petals disappeared from view.
"I can…I can do that." Mithian closed her fist. She concentrated. The flames went out. She opened her hand again.
The hand itself was as if nothing had happened.
"How? Mithian?" Rodor demanded.
Taene sighed. "My grandfather had magic. When my mother and I did not have it, I forgot about that. The gift must have been latent in Mithian all of these years. Merlin must have brought it out in her."
"Transference." Morgana sat down. Exhaustion from creating the energy shield left her drained. How will we keep her from Morgause?
"I will be fine, Queen Morgana." Mithian held her hand out. "Merlin?"
"Right here." Merlin crossed the chamber with gingerly steps. Fear chilled his heart. What did I do? He took her hand and helped her to her feet.
"You did not do anything, Merlin." Mithian smiled to reassure him.
"He did not ask anything," Rodor noted.
"But I thought that." Merlin looked at Mithian. You can hear me. Nod if you can please.
Mithian nodded. I can hear him. And Morgana? She looked across the chamber.
Morgana grimaced. I can hear you. "Your mother's right. You had magic but could not access it. Merlin stumbled across it much as he did with Arthur's chamber pots."
"You are so graceful, my Prince." Mithian sniffed.
"You both are not helping. We have to go and yet you need me." Merlin looked his fiancée over again.
"I will be fine. Perhaps Master Gaius or Master Wyngate has something?" Mithian kissed his cheek. "Win this battle. Then we will take the next step together."
Merlin nodded. Admiration blossomed within his heart for her strength and determination. "I will do that. You rest."
"I will stay with her, Merlin," Morgana assured him.
"All right. Mother and you can catch up on things." Merlin did not feel the most comfortable about that arrangement. Still he knew Morgana would understand about developing magical talents. "Queen Taene, I am sorry."
"For what? Merlin, the ability was inside of Mithian all along. It was your first kiss as a couple. You bonded. Her magic came to the fore. She will need to learn how to use it." Taene smiled. "Are you all right?"
"Oh yeah. I'm great." Merlin grinned putting on a stronger front for how he felt at that juncture. "Sire?"
"We are ready." Rodor kissed his wife and daughter again. Then he led the new Prince out of the devastated chamber and toward the stairs.
Mithian mused about her new situation. And now I have magic too?
Nothing it seemed was easy….