Chapter 56 [Throne Room—Two More Turns of the Hourglass Later]
Merlin eased himself onto Rodor's and Kay's former throne. His mind spun between Laws' and Advice's recommendations. He and Mithian had watched Meleagant's deposition and Gauntlet's penalty. Given his accomplishments, the Cawdorian knights acclaimed him as their new king. Now his mind turned to Aethelwald and Wyngate. Blood had seen enough due on that day.
Bernard had hanged himself rather than face the court's justice. In Life, he would say a great deal. Bravado, in the end, failed him when push came to shove….
There has to be another way! Merlin drank from a water goblet. His eyes gazed upon the assembled Nemeth and Cawdor nobles standing in front of Mithian and himself. Servants and Officials waited along the chamber's sides. Malodius, Morgana, Accolon, Josiane and Boeve all stood at the very front of the assembly.
He and Mithian were really the King and Queen now. Really…Well officially speaking for Nemeth, that would come at the wedding later that day.
Mithian cleared her throat. "My lords and ladies, good morrow. We wish to thank our nobles of Nemeth…." She glanced toward Merlin.
"…and our lords of Cawdor. My thanks to you. May Strength and Respect co-exist between us all and our lands. We wish to acknowledge King Accolon and Queen Morgana of Tintagel for their help today. We should all be friends. We will disagree but we should speak amongst each other. Resolutions can be reached." Merlin stood as tall and straight as he could manage. Firmness and Purpose radiated from him. "Just as Mithian and I, Princess and Prince of Nemeth—Queen and King of Cawdor by the goddess' grace, stand together and resolved before you now." He extended his hand toward Mithian.
"Thank you, my Prince." Mithian sucked in a heavy breath. "We will assemble a new royal council. Nemeth and Cawdor shall receive equal consideration. Loyalty is to be rewarded. However…." Last Point hung in the air.
Hesitation dogged Merlin's next part. He knew Presumption had led others' belief that he'd enchanted Mithian. He knew his new subjects watched. He felt them taking his measure as Leader and King. "Bring in the accused!"
Galahad and Ywain led Aethelwald and Wyngate into the chamber. "This way." They pulled the prisoners toward the front. Adjustment still took place within their minds as well as those surrounding them. New Realities still settled in. Step upon Step drew the thrones ever closer. They stopped before the throne. The knights bowed. They forced Aethelwald and Wyngate to their knees.
Loathing and Scorn glared Daggers from Aethelwald's eyes toward the thrones. "Even now you break tradition and law. Prince Merlin is it?"
"Aethelwald, stop! Look around!" Wyngate shook his head. "This assembly is not just because of his magic! Aye! He used it to win this time and at Shalott. I saw just as you did how he rode the dragon through our prison window! He is truly Sir Balinor's son!"
"BAH!" Aethelwald scowled. "Princess Mithian uses him to rule as a puppet!"
"My lord! Will you let him speak like that?" Protest rumbled up from a rather large member of the Cawdorian contingent.
"With respect, Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian, our Cawdorian friend is right. He speaks as do I out of regard and respect for you both and your thrones." Galahad bowed toward the front.
Merlin nodded. "Master Wyngate, thank you. Is there something you wish to say?"
Wyngate nodded. "I wish to apologize to you both before the assembly, Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian. May I approach?"
"You may." Pity nagged at Mithian's heart. She watched her lifelong physician crawl toward the thrones. She raised her hand to him. "You understand why I feel Prince Merlin is a valid choice?"
"Aye!" Wyngate kissed her hand. Then he kissed the hem of Merlin's cloak. "Thank you."
Merlin nodded. "I respect your candor, Master Wyngate. Gaius always spoke highly of you at Camelot. I understand how you must have felt. Just know that I would never enchant her for such an end. I care for Princess Mithian as I do for you and everyone else in Nemeth and Cawdor. Thank you for coming forward."
"You have seen his example, Lord Aethelwald. Will you continue in such a manner?" Mithian pressed.
"King Rodor allowed you too much authority. You think of yourself as a Prince rather than a Princess. Now you seek to rule where you should have no authority! Go ahead and kill me! I do not care! I have endured enough of you!" Aethelwald groused.
Mithian shook her head. "I earned King Rodor's respect! While King Kay chose to fight overseas, I remained to advise my father! King Kay did not agree with me. At least he listened. You, on the other hand, are the only one who shows such disrespect! You have endured enough of me, have you?" She stood. "HOW DARE YOU?" Anger billowed off of her in waves. She strode down to the prisoners. "YOU SERVE AT OUR PLEASURE!"
Merlin stood. "What have I done to you? You owe the last decade in part to my intervention at Shalott! I care! All right?"
"You care. Son of a damned Dragon Lord!" Aethelwald spat on the floor.
Mithian cleared her throat. "So be it! Master Wyngate, Prince Merlin and I accept your apology. You will return to our service as Court Physician only. As for you, Aethelwald, having shown no remorse and further impugned yourself before this assembly and our royal personages, we sentence you as follows. You are stripped of your titles, lands and status. You are to be sent to the furthest corner of our combined realm to work the earth and scrape together the meagerest of living! My Prince?"
"Commander Erthelwald?" Merlin called out. "Step forward!"
The Cawdorian knight who'd protested Aethelwald's previous statement strode forward. "Aye, King Merlin and Queen Mithian?" He bowed to the throne.
"I trust you can find a use for Aethelwald among your servants?" Merlin motioned toward Aethelwald.
"As Her Majesty pronounced, I have a plow well suited for this braggart's hands. Let him muck a few stables as well. Thank you, Sire and Milady." Erthelwald bowed again. "Come along, You!" He pulled Aethelwald to his feet. "We have such a chill along the northern sea! You will love it!"
"BAH!" Aethelwald said nothing else as he was dragged toward the other Cawdorian servants.
"YOU SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO, DOG!" Erthelwald backhanded Aethelwald across the face. "YOU ARE NOTHING!" He turned to Merlin and Mithian. "With your permission, I would have his former lordship attired for his new place."
"Aye. May Aethelwald make something of himself." Merlin nodded. "Thank you, Lord Erthelwald. See to that please."
"As you wish, my lord and lady." Erthelwald bowed to the thrones. Then he shoved Aethelwald out of the chamber. "Long life and rule to you both."
"And to you." Merlin nodded to Erthelwald. "And long life to you all here with us!"
'HAIL! HAIL, KING MERLIN AND QUEEN MITHIAN! HAIL! HAIL!" the Cawdorian part of the assembly cheered.
"HAIL! HAIL. PRINCE MERLIN AND PRINCESS MITHIAN! HAIL! HAIL!" the Nemethian part of the assembly chimed in.
"Thank you, Everyone! Tomorrow Prince Merlin and I will marry and be crowned in accordance with Nemeth's traditions. Then we shall finish with the construction of the new royal council and the governance. For now, enjoy our hospitality!" Mithian raised her hands.
"HUZZAH! HUZZAH!" Acclimation raised Supporters' fists in the air and cheers' volume. Reverence guided their bows or (in the case of the guest royals) nods.
Stability had been restored….