Chapter 50 [Whitgate]

Training Process commenced. Details sought from Parchment Documents. Combat moves practiced over and over again in the training yard. Observation logged in Council Chamber, Throne Room and in Social Gatherings. Wedding plans unfolded. Responsibility expanded the aspiring Prince's (or Princess') mind. Experience would add dimensions to personal insights. Perspective humbled the one involved.

Crash Courses burdened certain souls all the more….

[Training Yard]

Merlin set his sword down. Everything sped up in that exercise. He rubbed his temples. "What is going on?" He rolled his eyes. He'd fought beside Arthur and the knights in battle before. Sword and Sorcery seemed to flow easily in those instances. Focus remained sharp and clear. Now, however, Distraction blunted that focus. His mind seemed to run in a thousand different directions.

"What's eating you anyway?" Gawain frowned. Disgust cast his blade down on the dirt under boot. "Merlin, get your head in the fight! You're acting so whipped!"

"More like you after a night in the Rising Sun?" Britomart snarked. She sheathed her own blade. "Prince Merlin has a great deal to consider, Gawain. Perhaps you might want to think about that?" She raised the water skin to her mouth.

"And now she has to open her mouth." Gawain rolled his eyes. He waved for her to go on. "So wow us with those smarts, Brit. Come on now."

"Perhaps I understand better than you, Sir Windbag?" She scowled. "You have never been a servant jumping into a knight's boots much less a Prince's place. The Prince adjusts to his new position. There are many things to think about." Sarcasm dripped from her tone anew. "Do not hurt yourself trying to think of those things."

"Yeah well, I know what Merlin does. Okay? He used to run Arthur's whole household, fight and make it look easy." Gawain looked Merlin over again. "I think he's just afraid to disappoint Mith." Snide Snort escaped his lips.

"You idiot! None of us want to disappoint King Rodor or Princess Mithian!" She snapped. Indignation and Rage. "The Prince and Princess have a bond. Prince Merlin does not want to disappoint her of course! He loves her! Do you understand what that is? What that means? Or have you crawled so far up the latest cask that it has already addled your wits?" She stepped to Merlin's side. "Do not worry yourself with his demented musings, my Prince. Princess Mithian knows you want to please her and her father. I adjust from being a servant and a healer to a knight."

"Long road to Rome. Maybe you can crawl there in a few years?" Gawain scowled. "Maybe you can talk with ol' Rodor? He'll tell you to take it easy and just watch. Maybe you can bash in a few heads in the meantime? Maybe you can whammy something?"

"Whammy…what?" Incredulity fouled Merlin's thinking still further. "Gawain, I do not play games with my magic! That starts trouble." He grimaced. Memoria reminded him of Smoke Dragons in the Woods and Witchfinder. Risk of invoking Whirlwind against Marauders to wrest Victory from Defeat's Jaws in front of Arthur. Shaking Battlefields to attain said Victory against Cawdor. Working with Kilgarrah to seize Helios and head off Bloodshed and Battle.

"If you don't use it, you lose it," Gawain cracked. "Merlin, relax! You always find a way. You'll do that again. Take a load off of your head. You got this." He stopped and looked toward the door. "Speaking of the other half…" He managed a half-hearted bow.

Mithian regarded them. She'd listened from within the passage. "You are correct, Sir Gawain. Prince Merlin will learn from Father, Lord Blumenwald and me. Still, Britomart and he are right as well. Such matters are to be taken seriously. I believe you know that? Perhaps, Britomart, you both might talk with Lord Blumenwald? There is a task for you both. Sir Gawain, accompany her. It will be good for you both."

"For us…?" Gawain frowned. Still he didn't argue. He simply bowed. "Sure, Princess, if she can keep from alerting everyone ten leagues away. Come on, Brit, let's see what we can do." He stepped to the door. "Brit?"

Britomart shook her head. "I will see if he can keep his mind on task." She curtseyed. "My lady." Then she pursued Gawain into the passage and out of sight. "Come along, you Oaf. Let's go!"

"HEY!" Gawain's voice echoed back toward the courtyard area. He set his jaw and followed the redhead closely lest she instigate something else.

Mithian raised an eyebrow. "I have never seen Britomart act like this. It is like something possesses her!"

Merlin shrugged. "Gawain has that effect on people. He has issues with nobles. Keep something between us?" He glanced toward the door again.

"You know that I will. What is it? Surely, Sir Gawain has reason for his impertinence?" Mithian followed Merlin's eyes toward the door in question. Questions peppered her mind. "Did something happen?"

Merlin nodded. "I guess Cawdor's ruler opposed Gawain's father fighting with your father. Sir Robert received a bad wound. He died soon after his return from sickness. The ruler threw Gawain, his mother and sister off of the land. No one would help them. In fact, his sister sold herself into slavery to save them. I guess Princess Josiane's father bought her. Gawain's mother died from sickness because he did not have money for a healer. He does not trust Kings or nobles. Uther exiled him twice. Then look at how Arthur just treated him. Arthur wants to arrest Princess Josiane and Sir Boeve for her abilities and carpet. He needs to see some respect. King Rodor offers that to him. I guess he needs time."

"Aye. I can see that." She bit her lip. "Father wondered if that was the case. It is so sad. Meleagant of Cawdor still rants about a 'Pretty Boy' who should be dead. I will have to let Father know now that Sir Gawain is one of our knights. You can count on him for discretion."

Merlin conceded that point. Phantom Pain stabbed through his shoulder at the tyrant's name. "That would be a very good thing. Princess, I…."

Mithian placed her hand on his arm. "Merlin, when we are alone, please do not use my title. We will be married in just two days. When we are like this, I am your Mithian just as you are my Merlin." Her lips leaned forward to press Amor's request across his cheek. "It is refreshing you know. You can let your mask off to speak to me. I appreciate it."

"I know I can trust you. I appreciate what you do for Mother and me. You accept me for who and what I am. I can be honest with you. All you will want in return is a partner in our relationship and on behalf of Nemeth. I know you have a good heart…well except where certain stags and rabbits are concerned." Teasing spread the smile across Merlin's face.

Snort escaped Mithian's lips. "Oh? And you never hunted back in Ealdor, Merlin?" Her eyebrow rose. She shrugged. "You do realize that I do not hunt for trophies. Aye, I do participate in my father's royal hunts. Still, the meat goes to our citadel's stores or to feed our subjects. I would not see anyone go hungry. But I do enjoy the hunt. You fish for food. Do you not?"

"Aye." Merlin conceded a nod. "If I am by a river or stream, I have to eat."

"That is precisely what I am doing as well. I admire my targets. I respect them. I just enjoy when I win at our competition." Mithian smiled. "Perhaps we should not assume. I am glad we can talk like this. By the way, I came to find you. I wanted to tell you that you are doing very well. Father and I appreciate how you watch and learn about our royal governance. I can tell you that I did not have that when I became involved in those matters. Thank you, Merlin."

"You are welcome. I am trying. It seems a lot more difficult than watching King Arthur do it," Merlin conceded.

"Aye. I think the same thing when I watch Father. He has so much experience and wisdom. I try to see how he rules as he does." She rubbed his hand. "There now. You see? You are not alone, Merlin. We have each other, Father and our friends to help us. Father will be here for a long time yet. I think we will be all right. I believe Michael has the midday meal ready." Mithian stood and looked at him. She held her hand out.

Merlin squeezed her hand in his. "Thank you, Mithian. I appreciate that."

"That is my pleasure, my Prince." Mithian led him toward the door and the waiting meal.

Truth strengthened Trust and Bond in such ways….