Chapter 9 [That Evening—Gedref Camp]
Merlin shuffled with halting steps around the area. He'd needed the rest in the wagon. In fact, he'd slept for most of the trip through Camelot's territory. Pain's jabbing had diminished to a dull ache. Stamina still had not returned in full. Still, he wanted to stretch his legs. He ambled down toward the Severn's rushing waters.
The river represented two forces. Its waters rushed within its banks. The currents pushed all in its path. Rapids frothed in white foam against eddies and rocks. This assault smoothed down the sharp edges. The waters also raised a barrier between the two shores….
…between Gedref and Camelot….
He stooped at the water's edge. He allowed the current to fill the water skins in his hands. His eyes looked out toward the other shore. Guilt ate at him. Duty called. I should be there. This is nice but….
But what, Merlin? The Young Pendragon has others to wait on him. You have other duties right now, Kilgarrah cut in.
Merlin rolled his eyes. "You are enjoying this."
What? Why, Merlin! Now *why ever* would I enjoy watching Arthur learning to appreciate you? Why ever would I care to see you expand your perceptions beyond the meager constraints? Your world is expanding, Young Warlock, whether you want it to or not. You nearly died last night. The Great Dragon cleared his throat.
You like watching Arthur suffer. And what do you mean I nearly died? Merlin frowned. He tried to wrap his head around the other's meaning.
Kilgarrah chortled. I do indeed! It is most amusing to watch a Pendragon realize he does not know all of the answers. As for your other question, the Witch injured you far worse than you care to admit, Merlin. Any other mortal would be dead at least three times from that wound. You are quite fortunate. It seems others do not want to let you go.
"Let me go? Gaius was not anywhere near. The Princess remembered something and…" Merlin rolled his eyes. "This is temporary. I am helping to assess their kingdom and rest up."
Temporary? You tell yourself that, Young Warlock. You are alive because of the Princess and the triple goddess. It was the goddess who enabled Mithian to remember the remedy. It was the goddess who sent a priestess from your past to push you past Death's door. It is time for Gaius and you to resume your path in the goddess' service. A Rubicon, much like this river in front of you, is not far in the distance. Already you are feeling its currents pulling you. There are those painful insights. And then I believe your feelings are telling you the same thing? Kilgarrah clarified.
Merlin winced. He'd seen the visions since their run in with Morgana in the snow-capped mountains to the north. He knew Mordred would betray Camelot. He'd seen Elyan and Leon stab a dark robed man. Arthur faced a trio of women in a shrine. Gwen schemed with a dark robed woman. Morgana threatened Alator, "I'm trying to stop it."
There is no stopping it. Unless he ceases his persecution, the die is cast for Arthur and Camelot. I do not know when. I do know the goddess' patience is not eternal. You have a greater destiny than a chamberlain, Merlin. Aye you are supposed to be at his side. But does that mean right at his side? Surely there are other ways? Consider that…. With that, Kilgarrah went silent.
Merlin ground his teeth. He knew Kilgarrah's cryptic assessments aggravated his head yet again. Of course I have to be at Arthur's side. I am supposed to protect him! And what does he mean by claims? I have not been back to Ealdor in years. Camelot is my home.
Amor's warmth flowed up and down his spine.
Cut it out. She's a Princess. I am a servant and Arthur's man. He rubbed his head. I know I should be noble and a knight. But can I stay at Arthur's side if I am that? I cannot do that if I am in Nemeth. He rolled his eyes.
"Enjoying the night air, Merlin?"
His heart sped up for a couple of beats. He turned to find Mithian watching him in turn. "Princess." He bowed to her.
"So there is my water skin. I was wondering where it was." She folded her arms. "You cannot stop. Can you?" She raised her eyebrow.
"I was thirsty. I…well…I figured you'd like me to refill yours as well." He grimaced. "You left any messages for me down here?"
She rolled her eyes. "Nay. I did not. If I thought it would make a difference, I would have done that. Merlin, I appreciate it. My water skin please."
He sighed. "Fine. I am a servant. That's what I do." He handed over the water skin in question.
She shook her head. "Over there you are." She pointed across the river. "Here you are not. You are our guest. In fact, you are free and noble."
Incredulity narrowed his eyes. "I am noble? Just like that?"
"Aye. Father and I say so. My brother may have issue with it. Considering you saved his life, he can keep the objections to himself." She huffed. She set her jaw and raised an eyebrow. "You deserve better, Merlin."
"Princess Mithian, I am glad to be your friend. Really. You are not some stuck up Prat like another King we both know. Still…" His throat clamped shut. Butterflies banged against his stomach.
"Still what? Merlin, you are familiar with the Capability Laws. Are you not?" She folded her arms across her chest. "Well if you are not, let me explain. You accomplish three extraordinary tasks on the Crown's behalf in any kingdom, you are free and a noble." She held up her hand and pointed to her outstretched fingers. "Your injury was on my behalf." She curled her index finger. "You rescued us from the tomb." She curled her middle finger. "Your idea led to the treaty between our kingdoms." She curled her third finger. "You saved Prince Kay's life." She curled her fourth finger. "Your covert provisions put my party and me in a mood to accept this territory from Arthur. You kept us from going to war with Camelot by your actions." She curled the thumb to finish the fist. "You know…." She smirked. "Father and Kay tell of a violent earthquake during that battle. It was so sudden. Apparently, Meleagant's knights lost their footing. The battle totally changed."
"Aye it did." He flexed his left arm. "And…?"
"It was almost like that was caused by magic." She chuckled. "Almost like some overprotective sorcerer who knows how to shake things up from the shadows. The battlefield and a tomb maybe?"
He stiffened. Fear and Shock chilled him. "There was so much going on. Morgana had a spell go wrong. It happens."
"Oh I'm sure it does. And you would know I am sure." She rolled her eyes. "Merlin, do not lie to me please. I saw you in the cave. By the way, notice something that's missing?" She held up her now bare wrist.
"The bracelet! How did you get it off?" He looked at her wrist. He knew Gaius and others could not get it off. When she'd tried, it burned her.
"I did not. You did. When you were convulsing, you grabbed onto it. Somehow you made it fall onto the floor. Morgana said that only someone with stronger magic than hers could do that." She raised an eyebrow. "Care to try that answer again, Merlin?"
"Terrific." He exhaled sharply. "Princess, it's secret."
"Especially in Camelot, I can certainly understand that. With my brother, I understand that. With certain nobles, aye. With Father and me, nay. Here magic is accepted. Uther's laws are on the books but we do not enforce them. If I have my way, they will be struck down. Merlin, I will keep your secret. But here you are free." She pointed to the river. "That is Persecution's end point."
"Arthur needs me, Princess. I admit it is nice to be a guest. I am still Arthur's man. I have the mission." He glanced back toward Camelot.
"Aye. You are here to help Father and me. You are also here to heal and be pampered as a guest to use your own words." Mithian drank from her own water skin. "I have a special project for you. I hear you know about herbs and flowers?"
"Some." He raised an eyebrow.
"Relax, Merlin. I am certainly not asking for a quest. I need help in replanting the palace garden." Amusement coaxed her smirk to spread wider across her face. "What you do to the seeds and bulbs after planting, that's up to you." She shrugged.
He squirmed. Giddiness rushed up his spine. He rubbed the back of his neck. "After planting?"
"I do not suppose you have a spell for making flowers bloom bigger. It might brighten things up at court." Warmth sparkled in her eyes.
Another warm feeling floated through his brain.
I believe the Princess is telling you something, Merlin. Perhaps you might listen? Kilgarrah chimed in.
Not helping! Merlin bit his lip. "I can try."
A crashing echoed through the brush. A deep pained growl cut through to their ears.
"Now what?" Merlin turned toward the sound. "Princess, behind me!" He braced himself against a tree. He hoped that the herbal remedy would enable him to use his magic.
She drew her dagger. "What part of take it easy do you not get?" She clenched her teeth. Perspective granted her a view of Arthur's exasperation with a certain servant at times. "COME OUT!"
A loud roar threatened to deafen them both.
"What?" He rubbed his ears. Equilibrium wavered along with his legs.
"Malodius?" She sheathed her weapon. "MALODIUS! IT IS PRINCESS MITHIAN! COME OUT PLEASE! IT IS ALL RIGHT!"
The lion barged into the clearing. The elements matted his mane and hair. His tail drooped down his rear end. Exhaustion unsteadied his legs. A bloody and festering gash covered the left side of his face. Disorientation blurred his surroundings. He sensed Mithian's calming influence. But Merlin's magic burned at him. Pain edged him further.
She shook her head. "I have never seen him like this! Morgana did that to him." She wished for her crossbow. Her mind tried to consider their next action. "She had some special sword. Vile thing! It cut through anything!"
He winced. "Golden hue with runes along its blade? That blade went through the dragon's breath. That'll damage anything."
"She had a white beast with her." She recalled. "It's the last dragon."
"She is one of two remaining dragons. Her name is Aithusa." He rubbed his forehead. "Can you keep another secret?"
"Merlin, this is hardly the time!" She grabbed onto him.
"There is something else about me. Your word, Mithian." He slapped at the tree.
"FINE! What are you going to do? You can barely stand up! We…." She protested.
He rasped two deep breaths. He looked skyward. "DRAIGON! UN A MUNITO NECESITO A!"
Malodius stopped stock still. He shook his head at Merlin's changing aura. He narrowed his right eye. Assumption propelled him to charge.
"Pay attention! This is hardly the time for day dreaming!" She pulled him out of Malodius' way. She glanced at the raging Severn behind them. "And you are muttering in gibberish?"
"That…is…dragon talk." He fell over on the ground. "I…am a dragon lord."
She raised an eyebrow. "You…are a dragon lord? Merlin, there have not been any dragon lords for twenty years!"
"One survived until a few years ago." Merlin winced.
She shook her head. "Malodius, please! Merlin is not Morgana! He helped us!"
Wings slapped at the air overhead.
She stared at the sky. "What have you done, Merlin?"
"I…told you." He pulled himself onto his side.
Kilgarrah landed between Malodius, Merlin and Mithian. "Stay back!" He shook his head. He detected the sword's residual energies leeching from the wound.
"You…you really called a dragon!" Disbelief widened her eyes. Her jaw slackened. "You…you…really are…!"
"I…tried to tell you." Merlin gasped.
Kilgarrah ignored his brother and her. He had several such encounters with Malodius over the previous few centuries. STAY STILL! He exhaled a burst of healing energies on the injured creature.
The energies soaked into the wound. They washed the sword's irritating energies away. The infection cleared up. The wound closed up. The scar remained on Malodius' face. Pain dissipated. Did that one call you, Dragon?
Aye. He is my brother, Great One. Kilgarrah turned to Merlin. Hold still, Merlin. He breathed more healing energies onto Merlin. Concern narrowed his eyes. Can you *ever*do what you are told?
"I am stubborn that way." Merlin relaxed. With the healing treatment, the remaining injury cleared. The pain dissipated. "Thank you." He rubbed the back of his scalp. You are Malodius?
Who are you? Malodius considered Merlin once again. How can you be his brother? The last rider for you, Dragon, was Sir Balinor!
Balinor was my father. Merlin edged closer to the lion.
"Merlin?" She looked at Malodius and Merlin seeming to be back to their normal selves. She stared up at Kilgarrah. "You really are a dragon?"
"Indeed I am." Kilgarrah arched an eyebrow. "Who are you?"
She is Princess Mithian. She is under my protection, Dragon. Malodius stepped between Mithian and Kilgarrah.
"I see." Kilgarrah glanced down at her. "Your father…"
Skepticism puckered her face. "King Rodor."
Kilgarrah bowed. "You have my deep respect. He and I fought together on the battlefield. I trust you have heard of Sir Balinor, Princess?"
"Of course I have. Wait!" Realization seized onto her. "He was one of our knights! And…" Her eyebrows raised. "You are his son? MERLIN!" She facepalmed herself.
Consternation twisted Merlin's lip. "I have to protect Arthur."
"I believe there are knights for that purpose." She folded her arms across her chest. "Unbelievable! You brought the dragon! You are the son of a knight. You are a dragon lord. And you do that from your back?" She shook her head. "I am sorry, Dragon. Your name is?"
"Kilgarrah, Princess Mithian." Kilgarrah bowed his head. "You show great sense, Milady. Perhaps Merlin should listen."
Merlin grunted. "Not helping."
"Thank you, Kilgarrah. It is a pleasure to meet one of Nemeth's heroes." She curtseyed to him.
Kilgarrah allowed the smirk to extend across his snout. "We all serve the Greater Good. Perhaps you would give your father your regards? I believe we will meet again, Princess. Merlin, listen to her."
"Thank you, Kilgarrah. King Rodor would welcome you to Whitgate. I will watch over Merlin and Malodius." Now a smirk spread across her face.
"I shall." Kilgarrah flapped his wings. He ascended into the clouds.
Malodius bowed to Merlin. Thank you for calling him, Balinor's Son. He rubbed up against Merlin's side. Then he did the same to her. He purred.
She hugged the lion around the neck. "I am so sorry you suffered. Morgana and Odin held King Rodor and me against our will. Merlin was injured trying to save us. Follow us to the camp. Tomorrow we shall return to Whitgate." She shook her head at Merlin. Then she led them back toward the camp.
Merlin shook his head. Sometimes being who he was just did not pay….