Chapter 11 [Late on the Following Afternoon]

After an early start, the caravan covered the remaining distance to Whitgate. Odin's devastation scarred the landscape. Grand trees felled with only stumps remaining. Grasses crushed under boots. Smoke rose from Hamlets' ashen remains.

Lament and Mourning hung heavily over the landscape.

Anxiety picked up as the travelers passed by the tomb. They watched with care to ensure Morgana would not emerge once again. With not a sign, they pressed on for the capital.

Business awaited…

[Whitgate]

Sol touched Horizon's western edge as the group cleared the trail's last stretch. They noted the fallen warriors still lying in the open meadow around the walls. More dark smudges still rose from within the battered walls.

Rodor shook his head. "They should never have had to endure such indignities." He bowed his head. A silent prayer for his fallen knights escaped from his lips.

"Father, we shall see to them. Our minds and hearts are with them. They know that." Reassurance brightened her eyes and offered a helpful smile for his benefit. "Perhaps a memorial service for them would be in order?"

"It would be a good thing." Rodor patted her hand. "Thank you, Daughter. It is a pity your brother and his knights were in Caerleon. We could have used their swords here instead."

"We will get them take care of, Your Majesty." Merlin bowed to their host.

"I have no doubt you will after you rest, Merlin." Rodor shook his head. "I will not allow you to kill yourself in my service."

Merlin nodded. A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"You have done enough for Nemeth, Merlin. I believe there are duties for everyone." She rubbed his shoulder.

Merlin smiled. He caught Gawain and Percival's looks in their direction. Nothing going on, You Two! We are friends. That is it!

The group descended toward the gates and entered the city. They saw the residents at work on their shelters and businesses. A few bodies lay under sheets or blankets on the cobblestones. Some houses missed a wall here or even a roof there. In other cases, a burned out foundation provided the only testament that a business or tradesman had been there at all.

"We have a massive rebuilding effort ahead." Rodor hung his head. Even with Odin's reparations, this effort would tax the remaining resources. Devastation harassed his eyes all the way through the lower and upper towns not to mention the citadel's courtyard. He saw two Mercian soldiers working alongside their Nemethian counterparts on the smashed in front doors.

The knights and laborers stopped their activities. Adulation and Thanksgiving brought smiles to their faces and colored their cheeks. They bowed to the royal duo and raised their hands. A big cheer erupted from them.

"Sir Heinrich?" Rodor dismounted from the horse. "Who are these men?"

"Sire, these are Sir Dagel and Sir Saltro. They released us from the dungeon." Heinrich considered the Mercians. "They wanted to join us. I told them it was up to the Prince and you." He bowed to them, "Sire, are you all right? We feared for you. Forgive us for not coming to Camelot."

Rodor nodded. "Thanks to King Arthur and Camelot, we can come back here. Princess Mithian's wrist recovers. Our concern now should be with the people, Sir Heinrich. Is there any word from Prince Kay?"

"None, Sire. I hope he is well." Heinrich looked the group over. "Sir Gawain and Sir Percival, is it not?"

"That we are." Gawain raised an eyebrow. "Odin and Morgana sure wrecked this place." He grimaced.

"Is there any word from Lady Blancheflor?" Percival looked to Heinrich.

"Nay. I do not know of who you speak, Sir Percival. We shall keep our eyes open." Heinrich bowed slightly. Then he returned to his work.

Merlin climbed down from the wagon. Then he helped Mithian in turn from the wagon seat. "There you are, Princess." He walked over toward Rodor.

"Thank you, Merlin, but I am fine." Rodor dismounted. "Sir Heinrich? Who do we have among the court?"

"Sire, Lord Blumenwald organizes everything. Rachel and Constance straighten the royal chambers. Britomart and Sirs Richard, Mathwald and Reginald collect our fallen knights from the battlefield outside. Master Wyngate prepares the Physician's Chambers and our council chamber to receive wounded." Heinrich cleared his throat.

"We shall see to this effort ourselves. Sirs Gawain and Percival, perhaps you might assist Britomart and the others? I would appreciate it," Rodor instructed.

"Of course, Your Highness." Percival bowed.

Gawain nodded. Frustration steamed in his ears. He wanted to help out of course. He agreed with honoring the dead….

…but to work with her?...

He turned his horse and galloped back down the cobbled way. His fuse burned at both ends. Still, he wouldn't make Merlin look bad in front of Rodor and Mithian….

…Friendship's demands and all of that….

Percival nodded and followed Gawain. What is with him? We do not know anyone here that well.

"She really gets to him. Wow." Merlin tried to wrap his head around his friend's mood. Granted he knew Gawain could drive people crazy. And vice-versa. Rarely though had he seen Irritation poke through like that.

"They get to each other." She glanced about the area. Lament dragged her heart down over the people's suffering. She knew they needed to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Still, she was not about to allow a certain servant to get too heavily involved for that matter.

"Follow me inside. We should see what remains to be done." Rodor led them up the stairs and into the citadel. Much as with his younger companions, Rebuilding pressed on him. He understood the people's needs all too well. Priorities and Agenda dictated an immediate conversation with Brumenwald and his counsellors.

Sacking's scars displayed themselves in prominent fashion all around themselves. Bare walls longed for tapestries and decoration. Empty spaces almost desired the fine oak furnishings. Wood bannisters splintered, chipped and lay in broken fragments. Blood splatter marred several surfaces.

She trembled. Once more, Defilement sapped Resolve. She remembered the Mercians' hands on her. She could see Odin's leering over her. She remembered kneeling in front of Morgana on her father's throne. She swayed and fell backward toward the granite stairs behind herself.

"Princess!" Merlin bit his lip. He leapt forward and twisted his body. He managed to snake himself under her. He checked her breathing. "She fainted."

"Thank you, Merlin. Are you all right? You did not hit your head again. Did you?" Rodor looked her over for himself. "Let us get her to Master Wyngate. Take her feet." He lifted her under her arms.

Merlin followed suit as they headed for the Physician's Chambers.

Worry bubbled up in everyone's minds…