Chapter 49 [Rodor's Camp]

Arthur hustled across toward the royal tent. Emotion raged across the spectrum in his mind. He ground his teeth. That old wizard just happened to stumble into our camp! Was anyone watching?

"Something got you in a twist, Princess?" Gawain smirked at him.

"Gawain." Lancelot shook his head. "Not now."

"Yeah whatever." Gawain rolled his eyes. He pulled the tent cover back. "King and Prince Merlin are waiting for you."

"Thanks." Arthur raised an eyebrow. He rolled his eyes at Lancelot. Then he ducked inside to find Rodor, Merlin and Prince Bors talking amongst themselves. "King Rodor, Prince Bors and…Prince…Merlin." He had to force the last words out.

"Ah! Prince Arthur! Please join us! We were discussing strategy. Our scouts say the enemy knights encircle Camelot. It seems they are at 25,000 men." Rodor rubbed his chin.

"We are still outnumbered at least 5 to 1, King Rodor." Arthur ground his teeth. "I want my city and father freed but we should be prudent."

"Meleagant does not have Morgause to help him anymore." Merlin shrugged. "That's something."

"So I understand. What security do you have here? That old wizard dodders into our camp. That witch slinks in here. They fight and nobody sees them?" Arthur lectured.

"They all practically haunted the halls of Camelot too, Arthur. They have a way of doing that." Merlin raised an eyebrow. "And who is responsible for security? Oh yeah. You."

"Prince Arthur! Prince Merlin! That will be enough." Rodor shook his head at them both. "This bickering solves nothing! I know we are facing a formidable foe. Thank you." He straightened his robes.

"The wizard got away again." Arthur frowned.

"Who says he did?" Merlin narrowed his eyes. Snideness creased his grin. "Ya stupid prat! Yer too easy to git past! HEHEHEHEHE!"

"YOU?" Arthur took a step back. "You idiot! My father almost burned you at the stake!"

"Gwen's safe. That is what matters." Merlin shook Arthur off.

"My father still wants you dead! Do you not understand?" Arthur demanded.

"He wants me dead now. I am still here. You do remember that?" Merlin retorted. He glanced toward Rodor. "Sire." He backed away before Rodor coached him again.

"Prince Merlin did not have a choice it seems. Morgause was spying on us. He called for help. Then he attacked her as she crossed the river. The priestesses have dealt with the witch," Rodor recounted.

"Merlin has more help it seems than we knew, Arthur." Bors drank from a goblet.

"It would have been nice to know that." Arthur stared at Merlin.

"Yeah well you would not have been able to deal with that. Pardon me. I need some air." Merlin nodded to Rodor and Bors. He raised an eyebrow that would have impressed Gaius to Arthur. Then he stalked from the tent. He walked right by Gawain and Lancelot without a word and walked toward the campfire.

Arthur is such a prat! Why can he not understand? I want to help him! Merlin ranted to himself.

He only knows Uther's side of things? Mithian offered. Pardon. I heard you all the way back here. Are you all right?

I am fine. We will probably start for Camelot soon. How are Mother, your mother and you? Merlin sighed. He rubbed his hands over the fire.

We are fine. There are a few cases for us to hear in the throne chamber. The council will wait until Father's and your return. Morgana returned to Tintagel. Gwen's such a good friend. I really appreciate her, she informed him.

Aye. She is. Not as good as someone else though. He smiled.

Why! Are you trying to get on my good side, my Prince? Why ever would you do that?

He could feel the smirk spreading across her face. I can be concerned. Right?

Aye we can be. Especially when certain people do risky things to deal with problems. We do not know anyone like that. Do we? she insinuated.

He rolled his eyes.

Gaius said he'd scold you soundly for that too. So there.

He grimaced. You do not play fair, do you?

Play fair? That would not be *fun*. Would it? She giggled in spite of her mood.

He knew there'd be no winning that argument with her. He shook his head. She even brings Gaius into it? Really?

You might remember, Merlin, I told you the same thing, Freya interjected.

Thank you, Freya. Perhaps he might listen! Mithian expressed.

He rolled his eyes again. Nope. I got rid of the problem.

One day you will not come back from that. Quit while you're ahead, Freya advised.

I do not see that happening. One of his rough edges. Mithian let out a big sigh. Have you seen Josiane, Freya?

She is fine. She is on a mission of her own. It is for our effort at Camelot, Freya reported.

Josiane's missing? Mithian interjected.

She is not missing. She attends to her own matters. Please tell King Rodor that she will return soon. He will be pleased at the short term and long term results.

Short term and long term? What is she doing? Taking back her sultanate? He coughed.

She would not try without our help! Mithian gasped.

That is what she is doing. And she has help. The goddess sees to that. She was helped and then helped in return. Even now, the Butcher has another headache approaching the eastern coast. Be patient, my Friends. We shall speak again soon. And, Merlin? Freya clarified.

Aye?

Stay out of trouble for a quarter of an hourglass at least! Freya instructed.

Good luck on that, Mithian scoffed.

I heard that! He chucked a rock into the woods.

Good. Think about it. Merlin, I love you. Remember that too. Mithian went silent.

Even Nimue wants you to stay in one piece, Merlin. Take care. Freya cut her connection as well.

He glanced up to see Arthur looking at him. "Aye?"

"I have been trying to get your attention! You are a hundred leagues away. What is wrong with you?" Arthur shoved Merlin's arm.

"What was that for?" Merlin frowned.

"For not paying attention! You're mooning over the Princess not being here like a girl. You have to keep your mind on right here and now!" Arthur insisted.

I wonder what he'd do if he knew I was talking with Mithian and Freya? Merlin kept a straight face. "I have used my magic more times like that than you know. You are still alive even if it is not easy to keep you that way."

"Not funny, Merlin." Arthur frowned.

"I did not mean it to be. You just have no idea how often I have done things for you. Do you? I do not want anything. I did not then. I do not now. Just have to protect you." Merlin shrugged.

"Protect me?" Arthur laughed. "You protect me?"

"Lancelot and Gawain can tell you. Gaius could give you a story I am sure." Merlin sighed.

Arthur weighed that insight. He squinted at his former servant. "So the times Gaius said you were at the tavern?"

"Finding things to keep you safe." Merlin clarified. "How do you think I saved your life and got my post? That was my magic too."

"Father would scream bloody murder if he ever found that out." Arthur rubbed the back of his neck. "But your magic does have its uses."

"Some times at least." Merlin smiled.

"And Mithian? What does she think?" Arthur supposed.

"She loves them…well one at least." Merlin grinned.

"STOP!" Arthur shoved Merlin again. "There you go again! Acting whipped!"

"I am not whipped!" Merlin protested.

"That'd be you, Princess." Gawain smirked at Arthur. "Rodor wanted you both to know. We are getting set to head out. Coming?"

"We have to save Camelot." Merlin shrugged.

"That's right." Arthur grinned.

"Again." Merlin stood up. Mischief sparked in his eyes. He hustled toward Rodor's tent.

That idiot! Arthur frowned. Someday he'd get the entire story….