Chapter 51 [Throne Chamber]
Meleagant narrowed his eyes. Consternation frothed and boiled within his gut. He had combined numbers, sorcery and the most impregnable city in Britannia at his command. The other kingdoms warred and spat on each other. He had the advantage.
Illusion wavered and faded. In its place, Reality cast a cold pall over his plans. The last defenders either surrendered or fell before Kilgarrah's and Malodius' final assaults by claw, tail and flame in the square below. The door's splintering under the beasts' freakish strength echoed up the stairs and off of the granite passages to his ears.
On the Dragon's back, he saw Merlin surveying the whole scene.
Merlin…Uther's pet sorcerer…
The servant boy? Whoever would have guessed? He shook his head at the boy's deception. Right under Uther's nose, it is so delicious! If he was not such a pain in my arse, I would have offered him a place myself! He grabbed his bow. From the nearby quiver, he drew a long arrow whose tip dripped with a noxious substance. So much for the Dragon Lords! He strode out toward the balcony door. He sized up his shot. He strung the bow and raised it….
Merlin was focused on what was going on below. He had no idea.
Meleagant sniggered. Much as with Achilles of ancient lore, the new Prince would suffer a fatal blow. Chill elicited shivers and dimpled his skin. Still he pressed on. His finger touched the string. "Good bye, Boy!"
"So confident, are you? Turn, Butcher!"
Meleagant turned to find Mithian standing in the midst of a mist portal.
She held her crossbow right at his chest. "It is over. Surrender. No more."
"The Tom Boy Princess fancies herself a warrior now? I thought that was the maid?" He scoffed at her threat. He raised the bow…
…only to have two crossbow bolts bury themselves in his chest and between the eyes respectively…
"Do not insult my Prince or my friend, Braggart!" She frowned. She already had the crossbow loaded once again.
He staggered. He struggled to pull the bow string. His shot went wide left of her position. He fell to his knees. Then he fell face first to the cold unfeeling granite. A last expiring breath and little else marked his end.
Mithian adjusted her tunic. She sighed. You really should watch your back, my Prince.
Mithian? Merlin banked toward the citadel. He had Kilgarrah hover. Meleagant's still in there! He could….
She shrugged. "You're late, Merlin. The tyrant is dead." Impetuousness raised an eyebrow and broadened the smirk across her face. "You left your flank open. I covered it. See you at home." She kissed him. "I am always here for you, Merlin."
"Thank you." Merlin kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"And I you always, my Prince. Remember I was never here. This kill is yours." Mithian nodded. Then she disappeared back into the mists once again.
Her father will put her under house arrest for confronting Meleagant. She saved my life. Merlin pulled the arrows from Meleagant's body. His eyes glowed again.
The arrows…and any evidence of Mithian's involvement…disappeared in a few ashes.
Now you are covering for her instead of Prince Arthur? In this chamber, Instinct and Experience will be served, Kilgarrah snarked.
You are not helping. Merlin pointed at the door. "Fosgladh!" His magic opened it with little effort.
"Prince Merlin?" Britomart rushed in just ahead of her male counterparts. She stopped at the sight of Meleagant's corpse. "He's dead?" She rushed to the deceased King's side.
"Apparently so. He tried to shoot Kilgarrah and me down. I dealt with him." Merlin looked her firmly in the eye. He watched as the other knights joined them. "Sir Galahad! Here he is!"
"Prince Merlin, are you all right?" Galahad rushed over.
"Merlin taking on the enemy by himself. Why am I not surprised?" Lancelot rolled his eyes.
"You can take the guy out of Camelot but not the protector out of the guy." Gawain coughed. "Hey, Merlin! You should have left some for us!"
"Merlin was hardly alone." Kilgarrah stuck his snout onto the terrace. "Besides I believe you will soon have other priorities to concern yourself with?"
"Yeah? And what do you know? I have three rounds at least in the tavern! I…" Gawain started.
Britomart grabbed onto him. She smashed her lips down on top of his. "You mean you have a private celebration with me, You Oaf."
"Private celebration? Nay. I…." Gawain frowned.
"Meleagant had an arrow with my name on it, Gawain. I happened to see him first. He is no longer a problem. I am sure the King will know what to do with Cawdor?" Merlin looked about the throne chamber for any sign of Uther or the councilors.
"Indeed he will!" Galahad pointed at the crown. "By right, Prince Merlin, that crown is yours! You are their King now!"
"I…what?" Merlin frowned.
Galahad bowed before him. "All hail, Merlin, Prince of Nemeth and King of Cawdor!"
Merlin grimaced. He considered the golden crown with its encrusted jewels. His eye caught Sol's sparkle off of it. Awe and Burden weighed down on him in that moment.
"Aye, Merlin." Lancelot concurred. "By Cawdorian law, you defeated their King in single combat. You are the new King now by that victory. He bowed to his friend.
"Just remember that the rounds are all on you." Gawain did a half-serious bow of his own.
"Rounds?" Merlin coughed. "I believe the Lady Britomart just asked you for a private celebration. Lancelot?"
"Oh nay…nay…NAY! Lance! Come on!" Gawain grabbed onto Lancelot's arm.
Lancelot chuckled. "She will be good for you."
"Hey, Galahad! HELP! You are like Boss Knight. Right? You can tell her she is full of it!" Gawain paled. Responsibility frightened him more than a deer would be in the Great Chase.
"I could." Galahad considered her downcast mood over his protests. "But Lady Britomart and you have both fought well. You both need a marriage for the Crown's sake. I think it will solve a great many issues. Besides…" He shrugged. "…I agree with Prince Merlin. She will be a good influence on you."
"Oh nay! Nay! Nay! NAY! MERLIN, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MATES! YOU…" Gawain stiffened at the impending trial…er date…he was about to face.
"I am making it a royal order. You either go out with her or spend the next fortnight polishing boots. Do you want me to tell Princess Mithian?" Merlin folded his arms across his chest. His eyebrow raised at his friend.
Gawain frowned. "Fine! But I want a big meal and…."
"Two drink limit." Britomart looked him in the eye. "I want us both to enjoy that evening. It is time for you to understand what it means to be with someone who cares about you, Gawain." She turned his face so that they looked each other in the eye. "I might be able to endure that experience if you can behave."
"Me? Lady, you are the one trying to seduce me! I…" Gawain sucked in a deep breath. He had to admit that his heart beat faster during their snark fests. She could fight pretty well with that sword. And she could handle a pint or three in her own right. He rolled his eyes. "FINE!"
She shook her head. "We will polish you into shape yet, Sir Windbag." Despite her barbs, Amor sparkled in her eyes for him.
"She is quite a woman, Sir Gawain." Galahad looked them both over. He held his hand out. "Well done, Lady Britomart."
"Thanks." Britomart clasped arms with the First Knight. She stole yet another glance at Gawain.
The mists formed yet again in the chamber's center. They allowed Nimue to join them. In her hands, she held Cenred's crown. "If you are done?" Impatience raised an eyebrow at them all.
"Is everything all right on the battlefield, Nimue?" Merlin nodded in Respect's way to her. Thanks to Freya, the goddess and you for your help. We appreciate it.
You are welcome. We are on the same side at last. Nimue nodded back. "While you are claiming crowns, Merlin, you can add another one." She held up the crown. "This is yours as well."
"Mercia's crown?" Merlin stared at it. "How?"
Nimue smirked. "You have no idea what you do." Satisfaction prompted a giggle from her. "It is the same trial by combat. Morgause had staged a coup against that idiot, Cenred. She attacked you as Queen of Mercia. You defeated her in single combat." She handed him the crown. "I cannot believe I am doing this but the crown is yours." She sighed. "Well done."
"Thank you." Merlin accepted that crown as well. Mithian, you are *never* going to believe this!
Believe what? What is it, my Prince? Mithian trembled with Anticipation's jitters. You did not get yourself hurt. Did you?
Nay. I can take care of myself on a battlefield. Merlin rolled his eyes.
That is debatable. Mithian coughed. What is your news?
I defeated the Queen of Mercia in combat. I am their King. When you slew Meleagant, well…you would have been Cawdor's Queen. Since the credit for the kill is mine, well…the spoils and all that… Merlin smirked.
You are King of Cawdor as well. Father will be pleased, Merlin. Of course, you will need a strong woman to help run those lands. I wonder who that would be? Mithian suggested with an edge.
Maybe someone who likes to hunt and pop in when she is not supposed to? Maybe a certain person who Freya is supposed to make sure I am bound to? I wonder who that would be too? Merlin let the idea hang in the air for a few heartbeats.
Relief warmed Mithian's heart at his confirmation. I will have to get myself some new clothes.
Before Merlin could reply, Arthur and Rodor rushed into the chamber.
"Merlin! What are you doing?" Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Those are royal crowns! Where?"
Rodor regarded Meleagant's fallen corpse. "I believe he won Cawdor's crown that way, Prince Arthur. But what is the other crown for?"
"You know that fight with Morgause that you all thought was too rash?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "She had staged a coup before the invasion. She killed Cenred and became Queen. So when I defeated her, I earned the crown of Mercia as well."
"Indeed you did!" Rodor pumped his fists. "In one day, you have solved an age old problem for Britannia, my Boy! Well done! We will have you crowned immediately of course."
"Not until I marry Princess Mithian first. She is not just my consort. She is my partner in ruling, in love and in everything." Merlin smirked. "Something Arthur taught me."
"He has you there, Arthur." Lancelot jabbed.
"I did not teach you to be soft!" Arthur positively turned green at that notion. His stomach knotted itself. Besides that, he could almost hear his father screaming over Camelot being cheated out of a triple crown and the prestige.
"It is not such a bad lesson, Prince Arthur. One you will have to take on for your subjects soon enough." Rodor sobered all too quickly. "Prince Merlin, we found King Uther's body in the well. Meleagant had him killed."
"Arthur, I…" Merlin grimaced. "I did not mean to brag when…."
"Merlin! You did not know! Besides, as Rodor said, you've outdone yourself. I cannot believe I am saying this but well done!" Arthur extended his hand.
Merlin took Arthur's hand. "You too." Then he embraced the other Prince as well.
"MERLIN!" Arthur protested.
"Oh let him do it, Arthur! It will not kill you." Gawain sassed.
"Can you bring Princess Mithian here please?" Merlin requested of Nimue.
"Of course!" Nimue waved her hands.
Mithian looked about the area. She had changed into one of her state dresses. "Father? Merlin?" She looked about. "Is this Camelot?"
"It is." Rodor embraced his daughter. "This is why we wanted you back there. We could not allow you to face Meleagant alone."
Merlin fought the urge to roll his eyes. "I would be worried." He held the two crowns up. "We are ready to declare ourselves." He held a crown in each hand. "Hold the other side."
Mithian exchanged looks with Britomart and then her father. Getting nods from them, she looked upon Merlin once again. Her eyes sparkled into his. "I do believe that I can manage it." She raised an eyebrow. Her smile broadened. "Together?"
"Together!" Merlin agreed.
They raised the two crowns overhead.
"MERLIN AND MITHIAN! PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF NEMETH! KING AND QUEEN OF CAWDOR AND MERCIA!" Rodor pronounced.
"As much as I am glad that those kingdoms are in trustworthy hands, there is much to do. We will be talking about indemnities. Then there are your knights. Look out at the field. Most of your knights are injured or dead out beyond our walls. You will need to have good administrators." Arthur cleared his throat. "I suppose you are ready for those details?"
"Aye. We are." Mithian agreed. "We want to help with the damages. We cannot bring back King Uther. We can speak of settlement?"
"Nay. Father had pressed Nemeth for years. He schemed to marry you and me, Princess. He provoked a diplomatic incident. Perhaps Merlin can repair the drawbridge? Then you can clear your dead from the field? That will satisfy me," Arthur proposed.
"We can do that. We might speak of a system of taverns for travelers throughout Britannia? We can start with our kingdoms. Then there is the other matter. We can discuss that later." Merlin rubbed his chin.
"Nay, Merlin." Arthur shook his head. "Today I have seen the good and bad uses of magic. You are right. I still do not exactly trust magic. I am willing to give you a chance to show me more. Gwen would want me to do that much."
"Thank you, Arthur." Merlin turned to Rodor. "Sire, is there anything else?"
"Nay. Prince Merlin. Those plans are good. Let us see to your new knights. Shall we?" Rodor nodded to Arthur. "We will return."
"Of course." Arthur nodded. Worry crept across his mind. He wondered if Merlin had taken on more than he could handle.
Time would tell….