Chapter 7 [Arthur's Office]
Arthur paced about the chamber. Reports waited on his desk. The treaty awaited a last reading. He knew Rodor and Odin awaited him in the dining chamber. Still his eyes gravitated to the window and the courtyard below.
Below, two stable boys spread hay across the back of a wagon. Over that, they put blankets and the best mattress and pillows from the royal apartments.
Couldn't let Merlin crack his head any worse. Could he? Arthur rolled his eyes at Irreverence's flippancy. As much as the jokes and barbs between Merlin and him could get out of hand, this wasn't the time for those thoughts. Right now, his best servant lay at death's door for the second time in a week. He fumed.
Magic…
How much does that damned magic, the old religion and that goddess have to take from me? He slapped the desk. Mother, Father and now Merlin. Morgana's been poisoned by it. Gwen was almost lost to me. Resentment seared his heart. He ground his teeth.
A knock came from the door.
"Arthur?" Gwen studied him from the passage door. "I was about to check on Merlin. Did you get any sleep?" She'd spent the night sleeping (or trying to do so) in her formal attire. She'd gone to the Physician's Chamber in the middle of the night to check on Merlin. She'd helped Mithian mix up another dose for Merlin.
"Nay." Arthur frowned. "This is Camelot! We are supposed to be the best kingdom in the Five Realms! And we have to send Merlin to Whitgate? Really?"
"Arthur. Gaius is helping in Tintagel. Merlin is the back up physician. Who could have known this would happen?" She rubbed his arm. "You will see. Merlin will be fine. He just needs time. You know as well as I do that he will not stay down if he is here."
Arthur coughed. "He's an idiot that way."
She resisted the temptation to scold him. "You are as bad as he is, Arthur. He is loyal to you. You depend on him."
"Me?" Arthur made a gagging noise. "Depend on Merlin? I have plenty of other servants. I depend on him to trip over the chamber pot or make messes. He spends all day in the tavern. I have to replace Princess Mithian's gown after he stained it beyond repair."
She raised an eyebrow. "And yet, the wagon prepares to leave with him in it. You have not left this room since we checked on Merlin a few hours ago."
"Aye." Arthur forced a heavy breath. He scanned over the treaty. The scribes had followed the directions. "If Rodor and Odin agree, I do as well."
She nodded. "King Rodor will want to hear that. I am sure." She saw Mithian rushing down the passage toward them. "What in…? Princess Mithian?"
Excitement and Relief had brought the color back to Mithian's face. She slowed down and forced herself back to normal royal appearances. "Queen Guinevere, good news! Merlin's awake!"
Gwen looked the Princess over. Suspicions had circulated through her mind over the previous fortnight concerning Merlin's feelings for Mithian to be honest and vice versa. "Thank you for letting us know."
"Well I knew Merlin would come around." Arthur cleared his throat.
Mithian and Gwen looked at each other. Skepticism raised eyebrows.
"Sire, it is all right to be concerned." Mithian nodded to him. "Sir Gawain is with Merlin. I wanted to let you know immediately."
"Well now! It seems that everything is back to the way it is! I…" Arthur started.
Gwen cleared her throat. "Merlin is still going to Nemeth. Master Wyngate is looking at him. Besides there is the survey as well."
Arthur frowned. He'd hoped to avoid a fortnight of George. "Aye. There is that. Very well. Let us get the treaty signed. I want Merlin on the road. I hope you do not mind if Sirs Gawain and Percival accompany you past the border? Percival had asked for leave. Gawain just wants time off."
"The Countess Blancheflor will be in Whitgate this week for the same reason as Merlin." Mithian smiled. "She and Percival care for each other very deeply."
"Really? I would never have thought that!" Arthur rubbed his chin.
"Arthur!" Gwen frowned. "Princess, we are happy to let Percival and Blancheflor have their time. Please remind her that there would be a place at court if she wishes."
"I shall. Thank you." Mithian nodded. Gratitude beamed across her face for her friend's happiness. "And Sir Gawain will be in very good hands. I assure you."
"If you can keep him from the tavern." Arthur drank from his goblet.
"Oh I have just the person in mind for that." Mithian coughed.
"Really?" Arthur scratched his head. "Good luck to them. They will need it."
"She'll do just fine. Come. I believe Father is waiting." Mithian winced at her gown. "Perhaps I might borrow another? I am sorry."
"I have just the one for you." Gwen guided Mithian out of the chamber and back toward her bedchamber.
Girls! Arthur shook his head. He rushed out of the office and toward the Physician's Chambers.
[Physician's Chambers—A Sixth Turn of the Hourglass Later]
Merlin sat up in bed. He flexed his fingers. He moved his hands and arms. Pressure still throbbed in his head. He winced.
"Take it easy!" Gawain shoved a wooden cup at him. "Drink this. Forget about waiting on anyone."
"Gawain, I've got…." Merlin started to pull his blanket back.
"Not today. You are staying right there. Let Arthur deal with ol' Georgie today. Eh?" Satisfaction spread the smirk across his face. "Mith and I spent the night watching over you. Nope."
"Princess Mithian?" Disbelief elicited a stare from Merlin. He rubbed his forehead. "Why would she…?"
"Maybe it comes from you being you? Her Prince in Shining White Armor?" Gawain snorted.
Incredulity raised Merlin's eyebrow. "Gawain, I have a lot to make up for."
Gawain rolled his eyes. "I think sneaking that meal into her quarters on that first visit and saving her life made up for it. Getting yourself nearly killed for her Dad and her kind of gets a lady's attention, Mate." He shook his head. "What is it with you? Can you not just let up for a day?"
"Nope. I am stubborn that way." Merlin slowly turned his legs to the bed's edge. "Arthur's going to…"
"Arthur can wait! Bloody hell!" Gawain bit his lip. He thought about tying Merlin down for the latter's own good. "You need to rest! You might've cracked your skull!" He saw Arthur hustle into the area. "Hey! You tell him to stay down." He shook his head.
"Arthur, I…." Merlin grimaced. He collapsed onto the bed.
Arthur could see Merlin's head wound was still affecting him. "Change of plans, Merlin. I cannot believe I am saying this." He huffed for dramatic license. Then he pressed on. "You are going to relax for the next two weeks. Nothing new for you considering you are the worst servant in the Universe." He fought back the smirk. "I have something else for you to work on."
"Something else? Arthur, you just told me to stay put." Merlin narrowed his eyes. "I am really not going to like this."
"Come on, Merlin! It will be good for you! Plenty of fresh air! You get a chance to stick your nose into every nook and cranny. You can get into everyone's business. You can drink with the ladies which you like to do at the tavern anyway. You can make Camelot look good in our friends' eyes!" Arthur clapped Merlin on the back.
Suspicion raised an eyebrow. "A vacation? There has to be a catch."
"A catch? Why, Merlin! Why would there be a catch? Well you do need a physician. King Rodor and Princess Mithian are taking you to Whitgate. Master Wyngate is Gaius' friend and the closest one. They need assistance in assessment. I figured you can sit and work in your typical half-sotted way. Besides, Gwen thinks the Princess can help you find a girl for some reason." Arthur snorted.
Merlin's heart warmed. Pain shot through his already overstressed brain. Arthur was letting him go off with Rodor and Mithian for two weeks? He couldn't believe it. "I do not want to bother her."
Gawain coughed hard three times. He slapped at his chest. "Wow. You just do not get it. Do you? She wants to be bothered! You help her too…win, win."
"They have asked for Percival and you as well, Gawain. You all will be leaving as soon as we sign the treaty and eat." Arthur motioned toward the door.
Gawain grinned. "A trip with Percy, Merlin and me escorting a Princess? I think I can do this."
"She might want to *help* you too." Merlin cleared his throat.
Gawain coughed. "I am sure she does. I can get help in other places." Mischief sparked in his eyes. "I'll get packed. Think vacation, Merlin." He smirked and strutted out of the room.
"You have created a monster." Merlin slumped into the pillows.
"For once, Merlin, you are going to do exactly as you are told. You will shut up and listen to Princess Mithian. Try not to make me look stupid. All right?" Arthur instructed half seriously.
Merlin stifled his next response. "Fine. You and George can have a great time the next two weeks talking about silver polishing. I know you so love that."
"You are not helping, Merlin." Arthur made a face. "Gwen wants you there for some reason."
Merlin slowly pulled himself to his feet. "I will get packed. Thanks, Arthur." He bowed.
"Just try not to break your skull open. All right?" Arthur ground his teeth. "I have to get back to Odin and Rodor." He headed toward the door.
Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. He shuffled toward his drawers.
Packing and his "assignment" awaited. His heart skipped a beat for some reason.
Questions loomed….