Conclusion [Three Days Later]
[A/N: Yes I am skipping over the actual wedding. If you'd like to see my version of Merthian weddings, peek at "Refuge," "Healing," and "Confirmations" among other stories.]
Sol bounded above Horizon's eastern edge on that morning. Few Clouds meandered across Blue Backdrop. Gentle Breeze rustled Ribbons and Flower Petals scattered on cobblestoned pathways. Passersby resumed their lives after Celebratory Day.
A few still slept in of course….
[Merlin and Mithian's Bedchamber]
The royal newlyweds snoozed beneath Soft Blankets and Fresh Sheets. Their wedding day ranked with the most memorable of Nemeth's wedding events. Mithian, as with her ancestors, fed the masses with Tradition's bread basket. Much to everyone's surprise, Merlin added three more bread baskets to the cause. Prince and Princess stood before Lord Blumenwald, Rodor and Nimue right at Noon. Receptions and Dinner ran all afternoon and into Nocturne's time. Toasts and Well Wishes punctuated After-Dinner Banquet. Rodor, Gwen, Gaius, Hunith, Queen Elena of the Amazons, Accolon, Josiane and King Bors presented their good wishes amidst Festivities' Grandeur. Gawain had the night's best toast.
Commitments flowed down from Married Couple to Guests. Ywain and Laudine, the Lady of the Fountain, affirmed their union. Percival committed Troth to Lady Blancheflor and Sword to Rodor. King Bors negotiated Prince Bors' marriage to Lady Elaine of Astolat. Boeve proposed to Josiane. Accolon, Morgana and Gwen accepted congratulations for their recent marriages.
Truly a wonderous day for all….
Mithian stirred first. Pollen itched in her nose. Eyes blinked and blurred into focus. Satisfaction and Joy remained from Previous Night's Lovemaking. Amor warmed Heart and Soul. Mood spread Smile and Eyes' Twinkle. What a day and night! Father could not be happier! Not only can we celebrate but so can all of our friends and allies. Sir Percival's sword will be another asset for our forces. Master Wyngate and Master Gaius will work well together.
Beside her, her Prince snoozed. Rhythmic Breathing and Bliss kept him under Morpheus' spell. Sloppy Smile spilled across his face. He planned a mystery outing for them. Still, Secret kept its exact nature from her. Expectations for Surprises long fell by the wayside where his efforts were concerned. He gave her a splendid Silken Gown for Ceremony. Special Flowering Tree bloomed in Garden's center. Ring and Bracelet sat on her hand. Special Toast deepened her bliss. He was entitled to sleep in…maybe once…
What are you up to, Merlin? So, help me! I hate surprises! She leaned over. Her lips whispered across his cheek. Then she eased herself from the bed. She stretched her arms overhead. She crept across the chamber toward Wardrobe and its waiting garments. Blue Robe slid over Nightgown. Now you no longer have to worry about the Marriage Market! Prince in Petticoats indeed! She stifled Snort's outburst. It will be all right. I cannot believe I am so blessed. Thanks to the goddess!
You are welcome, my Child. I know Emrys and you will serve me well, the goddess assured her.
Merlin is really Emrys! Awe still amazed her over that fact. She'd heard Kilgarrah and Malodius attest to that fact. Bards spun Ballads and Tales before Nemeth's court for years about the Legendary Sorcerer and Greatest Dragon Lord of their time. Prophecy and Hyperbole seemed to distort Fact and blur Boundary with Fiction. Accomplishments pushed Believability itself. She smirked. Well, he exists. He's married to me. He's my Prince…rough edges and all! Happiness' Pirouette twirled her about in place. Father is pleased by his progress! I… She rolled her eyes. "You are staring."
"Aye." Sparkle jumped about in Merlin's eyes. Admiration for her pushed his smile clear against his ears. "You are beautiful. We are in our bedchamber away from the Court's eyes. I can enjoy your happiness." He pulled himself out of their bed. "Good morning."
"Good morning, my Prince." Naughtiness elicited Giggle from her lips. "Father did excuse us from the day's activities. There are so many things I want to do. I want to enjoy the day."
"King Rodor spoke of a royal progress. Maybe we can start on that in a few days?" Royal Tradition provided much for him to consider. He couldn't wait to see the entire realm from end to end. He wanted to greet their subjects and hear their concerns.
"Aye we shall." She nodded. Once again, Realization told her that Service would be a priority for them both. "We should check on Mother and Master Gaius. I am sure Father would invite them for breakfast. I would like to be there. And there is your surprise later."
"Aye. There is that." Mischief prompted his own smirk. "You will find out what that is soon. Let us get dressed. Then we can greet your father, Mother and Gaius. I hope you do not mind. I do have some help with our ride today. King Accolon and Queen Morgana helped me to put this together. We can all enjoy the afternoon."
She grinned. "Leave it to Accolon to work with you on this matter. That will be fine. I am glad everything has worked out for us and them." She embraced him from behind. "Just do not keep me waiting too long, my Prince."
"I will not." He turned slowly in her arms. His arms extended about her waist. "I believe it will be only a few hours longer." His lips kissed her forehead. "Let's get dressed. Then we can get going."
Agreement pushed her toward Wardrobe once again. Impatience wanted to know Surprise's nature….
[Hours Later—Meadow Close By]
True to Merlin's word, the two couples rode out of Nemeth soon thereafter. Alongside the royals, Malodius, Britomart and Ywain rode as Companions and Escorts. Previous Week's Rain coaxed Trees' and Grass' Growth. Flowers budded in Woods and Fields. Mithian showed Merlin and their guests a spectacular view from atop Baedle's Ridge bounded only by Sight itself. She pointed out Favorite Picnic Spot. She awaited Jocelyn to put down Blanket and set Picnic up for them.
Paradise itself could not be much better….
Merlin bit into a pork piece. He understood his wife's preference. Michael's art pleased their palates. Wine washed down the well-cooked meat. View added to Ambiance. "This is perfect."
"Why thank you, Merlin. This was a perfect idea!" Mithian sniffed deeply of Rose and Lilac bouquet. "I would not have expected you to like picnics."
"I set up a few for Arthur and Gwen. While I did not know where we would end up, I heard that you like them. I asked Britomart about the food. She was happy to help out. I wanted the whole thing to be perfect." Merlin took a draught from his water goblet. Then he raised it toward the former maid who was part of their escort.
Mithian nodded to her friend. "I should have known." She bit Grape's sweetness. "Well, I am glad you are not afraid to ask for help. That will serve you well, my Prince. Thank you." She turned to their friends. "Have you not seen a better spot? This suits our fine picnic."
"Wait until you share our picnic." Accolon bit into his own meat portion. "You do remember the seaside view atop the cliff at Maelsburg? I am planning another just like it for us." He nodded to Morgana. "I would not deny you those views, my Love."
"You'd best not." Sass and Mirth prompted a smirk to cross Morgana's face. "Accolon speaks true. I cannot believe that view, Merlin. I have to compliment you on this feast as well. You always did know how to put the perfect meal together. Gwen would arrange my chamber so perfectly. She and you worked together so well." Melancholy's overcast built over her. "I miss those days."
"I do not miss Uther's policies." Merlin took a cleansing drink from his goblet. "I do miss when we were all friends. I know we were servants to Arthur and you, Morgana. You were so nice. I missed that."
"Well we can work our way back to that." Accolon glanced toward Mithian. "We kept our friendship in spite of a failed courtship. You two want to be friends again. We will be all right. Time and Trust will heal any remaining wounds. Tintagel and Nemeth will share Tolerance Laws for all peoples. Amazonia, Caerleon, Gaul and Northumbria have shared their desire for such openness. Perhaps your visit would be a time to sign such an agreement?"
"I have dreamt of such a day." Morgana raised her goblet. "There will be an end to the Purge across Britannia. Sorcerers can use their magic in the open. The old religion can co-exist and be practiced across the land once more. Nobody will have to fear for their lives. I always wondered…there was a story that a boy created smoke dragons in the woods. Some peasant reported it to Uther. We had the Witchfinder to deal with." Grimace curled her mouth. "You dealt with him, Merlin. I have to hand that to you. Still, who was that boy?"
Merlin frowned. "I was the boy. I was careless. I figured I was far enough in the woods to let my guard down." He shook his head. "I was not harming anyone. Still, Uther's hate and vengeance made us criminals. It drove others to extremes." Lament sagged across his features. "We should not have to act out against each other. I know I have been guilty of making assumptions and doing so. I wish you did not have to wipe my memories, Morgana, to get us to this point. At least it worked out for the best." Merlin squeezed Mithian's hand for emphasis.
"I am glad as well, my Prince, for the goddess' and Priestess Nimue's intervention." Mithian looked to Merlin again. Fear stabbed through her over Possibility of his mind being lost forever within Morgana's spell craft. "We were fortunate in so many ways. Accolon, you both as well."
"Aye we were. The goddess guides us as she will. Still, too much pain occurred between us. Now we should move forward." Accolon glanced toward his wife. "We should remember our service and the good we can bring. Then we can move forward."
"I am sorry about what I did. I plotted against Arthur to free us from the Purge. All I know is that I had to get you out of the way." Morgana took a gulp of wine. "Promise me something, Merlin. I know we have our kingdoms' priorities and the goddess' service above all. Still, if you need to share something with me within reason, please be honest with me. Accolon and I are your allies. King Rodor is aware of that. We want to support you."
"Father would support that as well." Mithian leaned against Merlin's shoulder. "We should all communicate clearly, Merlin. Truth firms up our bonds and brings us together."
"I wish Arthur would stand with us. He should be there with us. Uther's and Igraine's deaths poison his mind." Merlin sighed again. "Am I wrong?"
"Nay, Merlin. You are not." Accolon set his goblet down. I argued with Arthur twice in Paris on that very thing. He will not budge in his views. We hope for a miracle by the goddess. Meantime, we forge a paradise for other sorcerers and magical beings. We will need a Sorcerers' Code. Perhaps that will be something we can speak on further during your visit?"
"Perhaps Nimue or you can bring Father and Lord Blumenwald to Tintagel for such a meeting? They can have our legal codes to compare to yours." Mithian punctuated that notion with another bite of grape. Desire wanted a peace per Shared Suggestion and Inspiration. She knew Rodor wanted that as well.
"I can do that. I will approach him before our departure." Rodor looked toward Malodius. He waved to Kilgarrah who dipped for a heartbeat beneath the clouds before disappearing into them anew. "We can work together for peace. Let us serve Truth. It will set us free." Accolon raised his goblet. "To Truth."
"TO TRUTH!"
To truth! Malodius chimed in.
To truth and freedom! Kilgarrah added from above.
For the worlds to exist together, the goddess interjected. Well spoken, my Children. Well said indeed!
The quartet touched goblets together. In so doing, Affirmation fixed Vow and Accord between them. Their Spark sought out the very environment for Co-Existence's flourishing. Others' sparks would touch off a larger flame. Perhaps that collaboration would convince others toward Reconsideration and Unification.
And in such ways, Albion would be the place for Poets' Paradise indeed…
THE END
(**Well, we should leave our couples to their merry making for the moment! Thanks for reading! I'm considering a sequel. It seems that Merlin and Mithian never get through their royal progresses. Maybe I should just do one devoted to that. Lol! Let me know what you think. Take care and best wishes. Be safe!**)