Chapter 37

[One and a Half Turns of the Hourglass Later—Merlin's Guest Chamber]

On Royal Order, Knights dropped all nonessential activities. Careful checks of equipment proceeded in due course. Smiths' hammers straightened Chain Mail's Links. Stones sharpened Swords. Bow Strings, Arrows, Crossbows and Quivers received a last go over before Departure.

Even as Knights prepared, a certain Warlock worried….

Merlin stood in front of a full-length mirror. He considered the chain mail over his normal servant's attire. He'd worn such armor before of course. In his mind's eye, he could see himself at Ealdor before the fight with the bandits once again. Once more, he saw himself trying to help Arthur.

"Not today. See to your own armor," Arthur declared. Urgency sharpened his posture and viewpoint. He finished with his own preparations. Then he turned to Merlin who struggled with his wrist coverings. "Is there anything else you wish to say? Anything at all?"

Yeah that I have magic and communicate with dragons. Oh, I also have a bond with a certain Princess. I am even reaching over my station to be with her. That should not bother the Prat. Then again, Arthur kept batting me upside the head about Morgana. And then what does he do? He wants to be with Gwen! Oh sure! That just makes sense. Merlin rolled his eyes at that thought. Double Standard reared its ugly head yet again.

And where Mithian was concerned, her lecture hit him again. Gratitude beamed in her eyes. "Father and I are going to have to talk with King Arthur." Shyness streaked her cheeks with Crimson. She bit her lip. "Knight, Sorcerer, Dragon Lord, Advisor and now Gardener. You have many facets. And yet, you still clean Arthur's chambers?"

"I have to protect him, Princess." He set his jaw.

"Protect him?" She raised an eyebrow. "Merlin, I believe Sir Leon is Arthur's first knight. He has his Round Table of closest knights. I know he relies on you. Nobody is questioning your dedication. But I remember what happened to Lady Reyna a decade ago! You did your duty to Camelot and Nemeth at Shalott! She helped you! She exposed herself! Uther did not care! To him, good or bad magic is evil! He forced Father to burn her at the stake to set an example! If he discovers your magic, Merlin, Arthur will turn on you. Do you think he will care how many times you have saved him? He and his father did not care about Lady Reyna. They will not care about you. They imprisoned Kilgarrah for twenty years! TWENTY YEARS!"

"I know that! I freed him!" Merlin rubbed his forehead. "Princess, I…."

"And what happens if something happens to you, Merlin? WHAT HAPPENS?" Snark pressed a dry laugh through her mouth. "You are a treasure! All right? You may not think you have value. Well guess what? WE DO! I DO!" She narrowed her eyes. "I know it's only been a day and a half. I know we just met. Well, Merlin, guess what? It took me a single half turn of an hourglass to put the pieces together. YOU ARE VITAL! ALL RIGHT? I CARE!" She shook her head. "GODDESS KNOWS, IF I COULD MARRY YOU RIGHT NOW, I WOULD!"

He shook his head. His heart skipped several beats. Warmth rushed up and down his spine. His feet seemed to float off the floor. Few women had made such a fuss over him. Freya induced those special feelings but was too broken down by her curse to do that. Gwen and Morgana had taken stands on his behalf early on but drifted away from them as time progressed. Hunith had let him go for his own good.

But Mithian…wow….

Now you're thinking about her without her title? Quit being a clot pole! Arthur will never free you. He's my King and my friend. I…. Merlin turned from the mirror to find that certain Princess standing behind himself. "Princess Mithian." He bowed to her.

Mithian sighed. "I was going to ask how you were feeling. I heard you all the way down the hall." She pointed to her head. "You need to focus, Merlin."

"I know that. I…" He shook his head. "I just do not know how this is going to end up. I feel there are two roads in front of me. There's the road I'm duty-bound to take with Arthur. Then there is the road here. I know Gaius and Mother are going to push me back toward Camelot." Wan Smile creased his face. "And you're tugging me here."

She nodded. "Merlin, you have to make up your own mind. As I have told you before, you were meant for bigger things than polishing Arthur Pendragon's boots. Kilgarrah has told me of this prophecy. You were supposed to make sure that King Arthur reached the throne. I do believe he sits on that throne. Prophecy fulfilled. Beyond that…."

"Beyond that, he is still our King's subject, Milady." Gaius cleared his throat. "Merlin cannot simply leave Camelot." He ambled into the guest chamber and bowed to her. "Master Wyngate said this was impressive."

"It was my brother's chamber." She furrowed her brow. "And why can he not leave? Why should he stay in a place that hates who and what he is? Aye, Merlin should've long since have been dubbed a knight! How many deeds has he done? King Arthur, it seems, will never be satisfied." Her frown curled in on itself.

"And what of you, Princess? What do you want?" Gaius weighed her words. He could see Desperation in her eyes. She recognized Merlin's abilities as assets. "Would you keep his abilities secret?"

"Nemeth does not share Camelot's bias against sorcery and witchcraft, Master Gaius. Father and I can see Merlin's magic as a benefit. I would offer Merlin a secure place here. Kilgarrah is known and has served in the past. While we would do our best to keep Merlin safe, I believe he can take care of himself. What do you use him for? You've become reliant on his cleaning around the chamber? Perhaps you'd miss your assistant?" She put her hand up. "We each have things that we desire, Master Gaius. Merlin excels at his duty. But can you protect him from King Arthur's malice?"

"I have done nothing but that! Princess, with all due respect…!" Protest snapped at Gaius' eyes and lips toward her. Indignation stiffened him. He clenched his fists. "Merlin, she wants something."

"Aye! I do want something!" Her mouth clenched in a firm line. "I want Merlin to be himself! I want him to feel safe! I believe Lady Morgana would've liked a safe place? Perhaps then, she might not have done those things?" She raised her own eyebrow at him. "We were all down in the plaza when Uther did what he did! Arthur would do the same to Merlin!"

"Princess, I doubt that. Perhaps he would exile Merlin. Perhaps certain of us could talk to him to overlook certain things." Gaius shook his head. "Merlin has to stay in Camelot."

"Can you be sure, Gaius? King Arthur shares his father's feelings for magic. He still has to deal with his father's councilors and nobles. They're OPPOSED to it! They're OPPOSED to Merlin's magic and his kind! Would King Arthur risk his throne especially given who he is in love with? He would have to make a choice AT BEST!" She folded her arms across her chest. "You forget that I too have sat on the royal council for a decade. I know how the royal court works! Father made sure of that. So, remember when you are talking to me, I am not the typical Princess working on needlepoint or sewing! Here, Merlin would not have to lie or skulk in the shadows! Here, Hunith could have a warm home, a comfortable bed, good food and whatever she wants. We owe her that. My grandfather invited her. Father has affirmed it. Hunith seems very nice. I can see why Merlin turned out the way he has."

Merlin rubbed his forehead. "Thank you for that, Princess. I hope it can be that way. Mother and Kilgarrah deserve better."

Why thank you, Merlin! I say! Princess Mithian, you are having an effect on our Young Warlock, Kilgarrah snarked.

You are most welcome, Master Dragon. I would hope Merlin would see reason. She heard the bell toll again. "It is time. We will pick up this discussion again. It is time."

I will be right there, Kilgarrah interjected.

Gaius bowed to her again. Disagreement brewed in his eyes. He knew this situation would expose Merlin by itself. He just hoped everything would be all right. "Come back safely, Merlin."

"Thank you, Gaius. It will be all right." Merlin embraced him. "We are doing this for Camelot."

"Aye you are. Just remember, this 'help' has implications." Gaius returned the embrace. Then he ambled out the door.

"Come, Merlin. Lady Hunith awaits as well." Mithian inspected him from head to foot. "You're passable."

"Passable?" Merlin stiffened. He bowed his head. Butterflies jangled through his stomach once again. "I have to fight with my father's mantle for Arthur and Camelot. I'll have to make due with that."

She smirked at him. "Of course, you will. Now, your mother is waiting for you. Then Father needs to see us." She led him out of the chamber and into the hall. "Lady Hunith, here he is."

"Thank you, Princess." Hunith embraced him. "I just wish I could ask you not to do this. It's so dangerous!" She trembled in his arms.

"This is what I have to do, Mother. At least, we have Nemeth and Tintagel fighting with Count Boeve, the rest of Camelot's forces and me. We can surround the Southron army and deal with them. Hampton and Camelot would be secure again. Everything goes back to how it was." He tried to keep a straight face. Decision would need to be pushed away….

…of course, his actions would blow Secrets' veneer to smithereens. Arthur would know everything before long….

…and that would make the decision easier in any event…

"Merlin, have you forgotten about what happened at Ealdor?" She bowed her head. "Aye. Your spell saved us all. You turned the tide. Arthur could not deal with that. Remember? If you do this, there will be no going back. For better or for worse, Arthur will know. And then what? Will more knights come to Ealdor hunting you? Will Arthur burn you at the stake for practicing magic or lying to him all of these years?"

"I hope not, Mother." Merlin bit his lip. Hunith's words teetered back toward Revelation's down side. Reality pushed Risk down hard on his shoulders. "I can stay in the shadows. Still, if the people here know about me, how long until someone tells Arthur or a Camelot knight? I am responsible for King Rodor and Princess Mithian still being on the throne. Uther burned a healer at the stake for helping me afterwards. That's because I tried to help from the shadows. I saved the Prince's life too. If I do not help now, it could cost Arthur a city, the port and those revenues. Those warriors could take him after he gets to port. Mother, I do not have a choice!"

"Merlin, you almost killed yourself back then. I want you safe." She shook her head. "Just come back to me."

"I'll do my best." He put his best smile on for her benefit. He kissed the top of her forehead. "I love you, Mother."

"I love you, my Special Boy." Hunith watched as Mithian led him toward the stairs. She saw Gaius lingering a few feet away. "One day, he is going to get himself killed."

"I have been saying that for years. I know he has turned battles to Camelot's favor in the past. Still, his luck will run out." Dread ate at Gaius' mind. He knew Rodor and Mithian cared about Merlin, Balinor and the legacy. Still, Experience knew some knights would not want a sorcerer as a companion, knight or a Prince for that matter. Wounds in Battle's midst happened. Events prompted responses be they for good or ill.

Reality could blur decisions and have unseen consequences….