Conclusion [Two Days Later]

[A/N: If you want to see my version of Merthian wedding days, look in "Refuge", "Healing", "Confirmations" and "Sacrifices". I am moving on to the 'day after'. Want the Merthian ambiance….]

Due to Funerals' and Expenses' burdens, the delayed celebrations remained subdued. Mithian and Merlin fed the poor that morning with ample baskets of bread. They received Cawdor's and Mercia's ministers and stewards in the council chamber. Freya performed a masterful handfasting ceremony.

After that, Regelbert and Edwin, Cawdor's and Mercia's surviving chamberlains, strode to the front. Percival helped to put the cloaks onto the new King and Queen before Regelbert crowned them. Gawain did the same with Mercia's finery before Edwin did the same. They declared Merlin and Mithian as their new King and Queen.

A wagon laden with tribute provided for the feast and more besides.

So there was some celebration after all….

[Merlin and Mithian's Bedchamber]

Sol streamed through the window on that winter morning. Faerie laden sunbeams brushed over every surface. Gleaming oak surfaces sparkled. Gild refracted on their tapestries. Warmth caressed the couple snoozing therein.

Mithian stirred first. She winced and stretched. Elation warmed her heart and soul. She recalled the previous night's lovemaking. She turned to Merlin. Her fingers brushed across his dark hair. "Thank you, my Prince." She eased her way out of bed. Her robe warmed her back and arms.

My feet are cold!

She snorted. My Prince, surely you can warm your own feet. She turned to see him sitting up and regarding her in return. "I tried not to wake you up."

"I miss the snuggling." He got up and pulled on his robe. "Good morning, Wife."

"Good morning, Husband." She raised an eyebrow at him. "You cannot get enough. Can you?" Her eyes glinted at him.

He floated across the chamber and into her arms. "You have been practicing." Approval beamed across his face.

"Morgana's a great teacher. Someone else was busy with our other duties." Teasing sparkled in her eyes. "I wonder who that Prince is?"

"I wonder too. Mithian, I…." He sighed. Regret weighed on his heart.

"Merlin! I am teasing! I should not have to tell you that!" She smacked his chest softly. "Duty comes first. You know that! Never apologizing for defending our realm…just watch your back."

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, Dear."

"Dear. I like that." She kissed his cheek. "I would love to stay like this all day but our parents are waiting."

Disappointment sagged on their good vibrations.

"We can pick up later I suppose?" She put her finger to her chin. "Can you do my hair?"

"I think I can manage that." He watched her head for the changing screen. Satisfaction warmed his heart.

It was a first moment in the rest of their life….

[Royal Dining Chamber—A Quarter of an Hourglass Turn Later]

Constance arranged plates of meat and fruit around the table. Strange cups sat with steaming sweet-smelling drinks. All of these things rested on a white tablecloth. Rodor and Taene sat at each end. Merlin and Mithian sat next to each other in the table's middle. Hunith, Gawain, Britomart, Josiane and Boeve joined them.

"Where is your brother, the Emperor?" Merlin looked around the room.

"He is coming, Merlin. We have a surprise for Uncle Gawain." Josiane's eyes twinkled. Mirth and Mischief spread a large smile on her face.

"A surprise? What are you up to, Josie?" Gawain shook his head. He frowned. "You know anything about this, Brit?"

"Why would I?" Britomart straightened herself. "I am grateful for the invitation to share breakfast with everyone."

"Britomart, it is all right. Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian are happy. Yesterday was overwhelming! The wedding and then the coronation!" Hunith shook her head.

"Once again, Sire, thank you for allowing us to use the Council Chamber." Merlin nodded to Rodor and Taene.

"The Queen and I would have lent you the Throne Chamber for that ceremony. Thank you for respecting tradition. Both of you showed great insight. You respected our new subjects' feelings. We are not conquerors. In this case, you both gained those thrones within Cawdorian and Mercian laws." Rodor cleared his throat. "Priestess Nimue let us see, Daughter."

Mithian hissed to herself. She shook her head. "I acted to protect my Prince. I had my armor on. I shot Meleagant before he could aim his bow."

"You acted in an extreme emergency. You were careful. In the end, we gained two kingdoms and protected our new Prince and friend, Kilgarrah. That is why we congratulate you on your actions. I would expect as much of any knight. I cannot take you to task for doing so. Just be more careful," Rodor assessed.

"Aye, Mother and Father." Mithian put her head on Merlin's shoulder. I will never apologize for protecting you, my Prince.

Nor I you. Merlin agreed.

"Merlin is already rubbing off on her." Hunith sighed. She knew she could say what she wanted but it would do little good. She knew he was the way he was.

A knock came from the door.

"Everyone?" Cligés walked in. "Pardon us. We had a matter to take care of. We have two people who wanted to look her best before a certain wedding." He smiled and held out his hand.

"Come along, Mother." A blonde young woman in a fine blue dress guided a middle-aged red-haired woman into the chamber. "Your Christmas present is here. Keep your eyes closed."

"What could that be, Fenice?" The other woman kept her eyes covered.

Gawain nearly choked on his water. Memoria stiffened him. His ears perked right up. "Can't be!"

"Gawain?" Britomart looked to Josiane. Alarm widened her eyes.

"She wanted to be here today, Uncle." Josiane got up and rushed over to the red head. "Good morning!"

"Josiane, what is this?" The redhead opened her eyes. She hugged her daughter. "You and your brother have something up your sleeve! What could that be? I…." She stopped her exclamation in mid-stream. Her eyes teared up. "Gawain?"

"Sorie? I…" Gawain wanted to run across the chamber. Somehow, his state of mind remembered to look to Rodor and Taene first.

"Aye, Sir Gawain, I believe the Dowager Empress and you have waited long enough." Rodor nodded. He squeezed his Queen's hand. "A wedding present from us all. Go to her."

Gawain rushed to his sister. Years lost and distance fell away. He seized onto her. "I thought you were dead. I am sorry. I should have searched for you."

"I wanted to keep you safe, you stubborn mule." Joy's tears dribbled down her wrinkled cheeks. "When Cligés and Josiane told me today was your wedding day, I had to be here." Soredamors squeezed her brother's hands. "So is this the victim…I mean your fiancée?"

"I like her already." Britomart grinned at Mithian. She got a nod from the King. She rose and walked over to the two reunited siblings. She curtseyed before the Dowager Empress.

"I could get used to that." Gawain coughed.

"It's not for you, Sir Windbag." Britomart muttered. "I am respecting her rank."

"My rank as well as my daughter-in-law's." Soredamors smiled. "I have heard a great deal from Josiane about you, Britomart. I believe you will be a good influence on my brother."

"I will try, Empress." Britomart trembled in spite of herself.

"Relax please. We are among friends. As long as we are not in Constantinople, we can be family." The blonde woman interceded. "I am the Empress Fenice. Cligés and I were married and crowned not even three days ago. We freed Mother from her prison at that point as well."

"Now we can be a family again." Gawain hugged his new nieces and sister once again. "I just wish you did not have to return there, Josie."

"We all have our obligations, Uncle. Your governorship will keep you occupied. Besides we will expect you and Auntie Brit to visit in Cairo and Constantinople." Josiane rubbed her brother's arm.

"You have inspired us, King Rodor. Our empires signed a treaty of peace and cooperation." Cligés nodded to Josiane.

"You are most welcome, Emperor Cligés. If there is any way we can help each other, I would say we should do exactly that." Rodor stood. "Everyone!"

The guests stood and raised their goblets.

"I would acknowledge this fortnight's trials and travails. We have had great losses across Britannia. Here we had a close call of our own. I am glad that Queen Taene and Master Wyngate are well. That crisis enabled us to grow as well. We gained so much from our collaboration! Our faiths' paths may run parallel to one another. Still we benefit from our mutual cooperation and collaboration." Rodor raised his goblet. "To our familia and global peace! That is the greatest Solstice present we could want!"

"HEAR! HEAR!" Everyone toasted in unison.

"Now let us enjoy this marvelous breakfast." Rodor considered the steaming cup to his left. "And you will have to tell me more about this…"

"It is a treat from our court. It is called cocoa." Josiane enjoyed a sip of hers. "Your hospitality is a balm, King Rodor. Surely we all can return the favor?"

"Indeed we all can." Mithian nodded. "This is wonderful! It is almost like a sweet dessert!"

"Maybe we can visit when everything settles down in Mercia and Cawdor?" Merlin supposed.

"You should, Prince Merlin. Our doors are open to you." Cligés rubbed Fenice's arm.

And so, the group settled down to their meal. They talked over events. They set the foundation for future endeavors.

From Chaos, a new world was emerging…and that was the greatest Solstice present of all.

THE END

(**Well that's it for this story. I hope you enjoyed it! I am working on another piece called "Oasis". That one's a prequel to "Healing" which is here on . I hope to have it ready by the end of April. Meantime, take care and be safe. **)