Chapter 48 [Whitgate—Merlin's Chamber]
Merlin studied Reflection's image in the full-length mirror. Chain-Mail sparkled in Mid Morning's Light. Unfamiliarity troubled his eyes with the new surcoat. Emerald mixed Emotions' responses. Dark Lion across his chest symbolized Allegiances New. Dragon Patch affirmed Tradition's rebirth.
He was a Dragon Lord. He was a Knight of Nemeth. He was a Prince in all but Crown. He was Husband in all but Handfasting….
Rubicon lay in front of himself. He just had to survive the crossing….
This is not the first time I fought in a battle. Why am I so nervous? Memoria recalled Ealdor's defense from years earlier. Raiders had attacked Ealdor. Despite Hunith's entreaties, Uther declined to help the village. Merlin returned with Gwen, Morgana and Hunith. Arthur risked his father's ire to help as well. Enthusiasm and Righteousness swept the village. Reality nearly sank their efforts along with the watchman's murder at the raiders' hands. Ambush neatly sprung seemed doomed to fail….
…it should have failed…
Chaos reigned. Advantage evaporated with the raiders' recoveries. Villagers fell to their swords. Their numbers wore down Ragged Defenders. Hopelessness and Defeat loomed even with Arthur's leadership and swordsmanship.
Merlin however proved the difference. Much as he would do two years later at Shalott, his Cyclone blew through the raiders' lines. Invaders and Defenders alike struggled to remain on their feet. Yet his efforts broke the raiders' alignment. Arthur finished what he'd started but not before Will's death.
Anger darkened Arthur's face. Lecture and Scorn surrounding Magic's dangers burned from Arthur's tongue. Prejudice seared Merlin's ears. He was forced to bury the truth deeper into his heart than ever before.
At least most know now. I….
Merlin, you look splendid. I do believe your father would be very proud, Kilgarrah complimented.
Indeed he would, Dragon. You will perform your role well, my Prince, Malodius chimed in.
Thank you, my Friends. I want to do well. I have not had time to train with the knights. Galahad and Ywain will have to fight alongside them. I…. Merlin heard a knock at the door. "I wonder who that is?" He walked up and answered it.
Lancelot, Gawain, Britomart and Josiane waited for him in the passage. Each wore a newly polished set of chain mail. For Nemeth's native warriors, their swords hung from their belts. Josiane's scimitar sat in her back scabbard. Expectation shimmered in the air much as Midsummer's Heat from Cobblestones.
"My Friends, please." Merlin opened the door. "I see you all have been to the armory as well."
"Had to make sure someone had her armor ready." Gawain raised an eyebrow at Britomart. He smoothed his own chain mail. "Have to say your new armorers do great work, you Princiness."
"Can you ever behave yourself?" Britomart scowled. "Pardon us, Prince Merlin."
"That is fine. I am used to Gawain." Merlin smiled. "Lancelot, you are finally a knight! Nobody is going to take that from you this time."
"Aye but for how long?" Lancelot glanced at the mirror himself. Dream and Ambition stared back at him. "I still cannot believe it."
"Boeve says you are a skilled warrior. That is all I need to hear." Approval coaxed a nod from Josiane's head. "I trust you to hold your own when that crimson horde sweeps down upon the gates."
Gawain raised an eyebrow. "Just you be careful, Josie. I don't want to lose you."
"That goes for you too, Uncle. We can only live today and hope for tomorrow. Do not be rash." Josiane bowed to him. "We should all think on that. Love and Duty guide us. Let that be our path." She drew her scimitar. Her eyes ran across the surface. "One day I will free my people from the Usurper Mustafa. I will go to Constantinople and free Mother."
"Your mother is alive?" Surprise forced Gawain to blink. Disbelief numbed his mind. His hand pushed up against the wall to support himself. Longing tore through his heart. "What is she doing there? I thought…."
"The Eastern Roman Emperor Alexander invaded my land. He carried Mother off like a trophy. His lackey, Alys, has tried to kill me several times." Josiane ran her finger across the scimitar's sharp edge. "One day I will deal with Alys and the Emperor." Vengeance flickered in her own eyes. Then she sheathed her blade. "For today, we deal with Cawdor. My god willing, we survive to fight the Mercian jackals." She frowned. "Do not be stupid." She jabbed Gawain's chest with her forefinger. "I mean it. You have more to fight for than wenching and drinking now."
"She has a point. I mean there are boots to polish." Teasing lilted through Merlin's jibe toward his friend. Chuckle escaped his lips. Mood lightened for a heartbeat.
"Sure, Merlin, just smack someone when they're down already." Gawain winked at Merlin. Sauciness evoked a smirk. "Just make sure you are not thinking of Mith while we're out there."
"Perhaps you should keep your own advice. I believe you might have the same issue?" Lancelot shrugged. He motioned toward Britomart. Observation, however brief, ascertained that under Barb's and Attitudes' exchange, Caring did reside for one another.
"Her?" Raspberry sputtered across Gawain's lips. "Lance, you have taken one too many hits to the head." He raised an eyebrow.
"Sir Lancelot, I have better things to do than to mind an oversized petulant child." Britomart narrowed her eyes. Gawain's rebuff stung her heart. "He is content to waste his money and days in those places. I have better places to be. Unlike most, I do not have to sit pretty. I would be content to serve my Prince and Princess when I am not fighting. That is much as you did, Prince Merlin, in Camelot."
"Lady, you wish you could keep up with me." Gawain rolled his eyes in response. "Merlin, tell her."
Merlin sighed. "Did you not just hear what Princess Josiane said? We are in this together. There is no keeping up. I think she will do fine out there on the battlefield." He nodded to the former maid. "And you are a free woman, Britomart. Princess Mithian and I value your service. We will find another way for you to serve us."
"Spoken like a true Prince, my Prince." Mithian strode into the room. She wore a breast plate, leather breeches and boots. Padding covered her knees and elbows. A quiver of arrows rested on her back. She carried a sword in a worn hilt. "I would have been here sooner. I had something to retrieve from the Hall of Heroes downstairs." She held it out to him. "Your father's sword."
"My…?" Merlin stared at the weapon in her hands. Wonder's and frankly Awe's waves crashed across Consciousness' Shores. A charge flowed up and down his spine. He accepted it akin to Father with Babe for the first time. A missing piece seemed to fill in.
Balinor…the mysterious hermit…the man who'd sacrificed himself for Arthur and himself…that sword…had been one of his swords….
And now your mantle has been passed, Merlin. Now you are in the role you were intended to be in, Kilgarrah declared. Reverence bowed his head.
My friend can now rest in peace. It is for you, Prince Merlin. Malodius added.
Merlin admired the workmanship on the hilt. Scratches and a few chips marred its metallic surface. Light gleamed on its surface. "It is a treasure." He slid the sword back into its scabbard. "Thank you."
"We have kept it here for you." Mithian's hand brushed across his knuckles. "I would hope you feel belonging and completeness now."
His eyes met hers. Spark and Warmth jumped from one to the other. His heart beat in time with hers. Their fingers touched. Their lips sang Amor's sweet notes in Serenade to each other. Climax pressed their lips upon one another.
Even Tempus and Concern seemed to pause for their union in that blessed moment.
Nemeth had its source. Perhaps Ceremony's proclamation would legitimize it for the world. But the Kingdom had its King and Queen in Merlin and Mithian….
Alas, even that event ran its course. Warning Bell rang out from Sentry Tower below.
"We are called back to the world, my Prince." Mithian caught her breath. "Our duty awaits."
"Aye." Disappointment dragged Tone down. Merlin met his Princess' eyes once again. "I will expect another kiss after the battle."
"Oh you do, do you?" Mirth and Teasing raised Mithian's eyebrow. "I will have to see what I can do." She squeezed his hands in hers. "Come back to me. Come back to Nemeth."
"The goddess willing." Merlin kissed Mithian's forehead. "We have to get married and crowned."
"Aye. I wish there was another dragon so I could ride alongside you. I will stay back. I pray for your return." Mithian rubbed Merlin's arm. "Bring him back to me please."
Lancelot smiled. "If we can keep Merlin out of trouble, I believe we can do that." His heart twisted in his chest. Despite the words and tone being Mithian's, Gwen's voice echoed through his ears. Memoria brought Gwen's visage to his mind's eye. Somehow he kept his composure.
"That'll be all of us." Gawain slapped at Merlin's shoulder. "Can't keep Accolon or Morgana waiting."
"Nay. We cannot." Merlin looked once more at his Princess. "Thank you for all of this. I know I have not said it before. I should have." He sucked in a deep breath. "I just want you to know I love you."
Joy teared her in Mithian's eyes. "You have said it in so many other ways, my Prince. We will have more time. Have faith. Now we must go." She took his hand and led him from the chamber.
War's tidings awaited them….