Chapter 14 [Boeve's Castle, Hampton, Camelot—An Hour Later]
Activity buzzed along Camelot's southeastern coast. Ships docked in the harbor. Sailors and townspeople caroused Taverns and Inns. Hearty souls still walked the dirt streets late into Nocturne's watch.
The castle loomed in Hampton's center. Guards stood on either side of the massive oak and iron drawbridge. Sentries patrolled the ramparts. Servants and Courtiers bustled about the inner citadel. Even at that hour, much remained to be done.
For everyone that is….
[Ramparts]
Merlin gazed out into the darkness. His eyes soared akin to an eagle over Hampton's bustle. He surveyed the water's seeming endlessness. Gaul is out there somewhere. Wish I knew how long it would take a ship to get there. He shook his head. I want to stay. Arthur needs me. Princess Mithian could give Mother and me a good home in Nemeth. I just wish Uther and Kay could stop!
"Merlin?" Gwen hustled toward him. "You're all right!"
"Hey!" Relief eased his mood. A grin spread across his face. "I was worried!" He embraced her. "It was not my idea to leave you with Morgana."
"I know, Merlin. Thank you though." She relaxed in that embrace. In that heartbeat, Reassurance eased her tension. He was her old friend again. Magic, Lies and Necessary Subterfuge lost their importance. She rubbed the back of her neck. "So…this has been some day."
"You can say that again." He swallowed hard. "Gwen, I never wanted to lie about…."
She raised her hand. "I understand, Merlin. You are the last person who should have to apologize. Morgana told me what it was like for her. At least you have not tried to hurt anyone."
He shrugged. "Morgana was right. Gaius and I had to stop her heart to save Camelot. There was one other time. She was going to kill Uther. I caused her to fall down the stairs." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Then I found a cure and saved her."
"There! You see? You're nothing like Morgana was, Merlin! You try to use your magic for the Greater Good. How many times have you saved Camelot? How many times have you protected Arthur?" She grabbed onto his shoulders. "Thank you!"
"Uh…" He raised an eyebrow. "…okay. You do not know what a relief it is that I do not have to hide my magic from you anymore! I feel like I'm setting a horrible burden on you."
Her smile widened. Support sparkled in her eyes. "It's no burden, Merlin. It just makes you special. You've supported Arthur and me when no one else would have. That's why you were exiled with me."
"Uther thinks we're bad for Arthur. I guess I fall short of polishing jokes." He rolled his eyes.
She chuckled. "It's nice to see your sense of humor's coming back. So…" She turned toward the sea. "Are you thinking of where to go?"
"Arthur needs me in Camelot. You cannot handle the Prat alone. Gaius relies on me. Maybe I could return to Ealdor for Mother's sake. She misses me. She'll be so disappointed that I could not stay in Camelot." He bowed his head.
"Merlin…" She raised his chin so that his eyes met hers. "There is another place."
"Another place?" He frowned.
"I met her…Princess Mithian." She shrugged. "I expected her to be this haughty prissy uptight spoiled girl. She is anything but that. I know I should hate her. She is supposed to marry Arthur. Uther's using her to take Arthur from me. But…"
"But you cannot. Can you?" He rolled his eyes. "I expected the same thing. Still she actually cares about us. She acknowledged me even before Sir Ywain told her the truth."
"It's hard to believe you're another secret noble like Gawain and a dragon lord no less!" She giggled. "You were serious when you told me that there was more to you than met the eye."
"Yeah I was." He smirked. "Arthur would not know what to do with that."
"Maybe if you talk to him? Maybe Morgana and you might get through to him. Arthur wants to rule for all people, Merlin. Of course maybe you can talk from across the border?" She grinned a him.
"Gwen." He rolled his eyes.
"Nay, Merlin! You listen to me!" She stuck her index finger right in his chest. "Stop hiding from who and what you are! You are a good servant. I suspect you would be even better if you did not have to kick over the chamber pot or do other clot pole things to keep Uther and Arthur from suspecting you. You do not think Arthur would not want you to be your best? Aye he would miss you. He would be insufferable. I will deal with him. He has Leon and the knights behind him. He and I have promised to wait for each other."
"Gwen, not if Princess Mithian and he…."
"Merlin, you and I both know that you were ready to run away for a girl. Arthur and I both remember the Druid girl. What was her name?" She rubbed her chin.
He sighed. "Freya…"
"Freya. She must have been something else. I mean you went up against a bounty hunter and Uther. You stole a dress from Morgana. You took food from Arthur's plate. We all remember after her death how you were. And now well…" Her eyes twinkled.
"Gwen, she's going to marry Arthur. I'm just a servant…." Amor jabbed him in the heart and brain.
"Merlin, You. Are. Noble. Arthur will respect that! I cannot believe you! You have a better case with that Princess than I do with Arthur!" Gwen shook her head. "I do not want to hear nay for an answer!"
"She thinks I am rash and pushy." He fished for Excuse's way out. Denial dumped Rationale's avalanche on him.
"You are…when you are helping everyone else." She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Do not think, Merlin, I am going to let you off." She looked right into his eyes. "I do not believe it!" She snickered. "You like her!"
"Gwen, stop! I just met her! Another pushy royal is the last thing I need!" Protest would've convinced most others.
She wasn't having any of it. She folded her arms across her chest. "Merlin, you are so full of manure. You know that? For all of your complaints, you actually like being bossed around by Arthur. You just said Princess Mithian respects you. And do not tell me you have nothing to offer her!" She slapped his arm.
"Hey! What was that for?" He jumped back a half of a step.
"Stop being stubborn! Open your eyes!" Exasperation threw Gwen's hands up in the air. "I cannot believe you! You can help Arthur and me! And we can help you!"
"Uther would…" He started.
"You are an exile. Uther cannot stop you. Arthur could try…but I will stop that. At least talk to her? She does seem nice."
His eyes went every which way. He looked for a way out. He tried. He…
…He saw Mithian watching them both from a distance….
His pounding heart broke Denial's stranglehold. He felt his throat tightening up. "Um, Gwen."
"Merlin, I am not done. Enough excuses! Go and talk to her!" Gwen pressed on with her lecture.
"Look behind you." He pointed over her right shoulder.
"What? I…." Gwen turned around to see Mithian waiting for her to finish her point. "Why did you not say she was standing there?"
"I…tried." He coughed.
Gwen shook her head.
Amor pushed its point rather hard it seemed….