Chapter 16 [At the Passage's End]

Josiane smoothed her lavender gown. Anticipation kept her waiting to see Mithian in the borrowed emerald gown. When Britomart asked on her mistress' behalf, Josiane volunteered the fine garment. Boeve likes this on me. She shook her head. Vanity wasn't a trait to be praised in her eyes.

Still it was Boeve….

A deep sigh escaped her lips. It is a fine dinner. We have guests. I suppose we should dress the part. I'd rather have a festive time tonight. In two days, we shall have to face Uther. Revulsion stabbed through her. She shivered. That man and his ilk are horrible! I cannot believe King Kay is like him. By the Prophet, when will it end? She stopped in front of the door. She rapped several times on its hard oaken surface.

"Aye?"

"Uncle? It is Josiane. May I enter?" She stepped back and waited.

Boots trudged across the granite therein. Lock undid itself in the door.

Gawain swung the door open. His eyes twinkled at her. His devil may care smirk welcomed her. "Yeah sure! Dinner ready yet?" He ushered her inside.

She looked about the small chamber. A small bed rested in the corner. A table and chair sat across the area. A rug covered the granite floor's middle. "Once again, I wish Boeve had something bigger for you."

Gawain waved that notion off. "Are you kidding? It's great! Hot meals. Good ale. And I get to see you." He rubbed her shoulder. His mind struggled with the knowledge that his sister, Soredamors, still lived. Even more so, she had a daughter.

Josiane blushed. "Thank you, Uncle. Dinner is ready. We have other guests."

He frowned. "You mean from that fight earlier? Josie…."

She rolled her eyes. "You have risked enough, Uncle! I will not allow that!"

"Allow?" He coughed. He raised an eyebrow. "Look, Kid. I have been in more scraps since your Mom and I were younger than you. I deal with it. No big deal. All right? There's this guy in Camelot. His name's Merlin. He'll tell you."

"Merlin? You mean Prince Arthur's former servant? He and the maid Guinevere are here." Interest grabbed her attention.

"Merlin's here?" He narrowed his eyes. "Arthur's probably got him running around."

"Nay. Uther banished Guinevere and him. Arthur is still in Camelot. We saved Princess Mithian, her maid, Britomart, and Sir Galahad from Cawdor's treachery. Merlin defeated a Cawdorian knight by himself," she recounted.

"That's Merlin for you. So Uther thought Merlin was too close to Arthur? No surprise there." He rolled his eyes. "He exiled me for defending Merlin against two guys. They were using magic crystals to look like princes. And that's after I saved Arthur's life in the melee!" A pained snort escaped his lips.

"Uther is a closed mind bigot." Indignation boiled over inside of her. "Merlin served Camelot. I do not understand."

"Uther is a typical noble, Josie. He cares about his knight's code. If you are one of his nobles, great. If you are a peasant, you are dirt." He shook his head. "Whatever. It's a load of bollocks anyway. I could have told him about your grandfather and great-grandfather."

"You are as bad as Merlin! You and he hide your heritages! What is wrong with you?" She slapped the table. "Besides Mother is royalty in two kingdoms! And Merlin's father was a knight!"

He coughed at that last observation. "Merlin's father…what?"

"Merlin's father was Sir Balinor of Nemeth. King Rodor protected his lineage. Between his father and him, Nemeth owes Merlin four separate life debts. He saved Princess Mithian and returned her necklace to her." She ground her teeth. "And he still wants to serve Uther? I do not understand!"

He shrugged. "Merlin is like Arthur's bodyguard. I have seen him get the Princess out of tough scrapes. Arthur will not care. He wants his boots polished and meals served." A gagging noise escaped from his mouth.

"He cannot just keep Merlin against his will! I cannot believe it is possible!" She fumed.

"Arthur is not all bad, Josie. Merlin and Gwen will defend him all day. I know he is different. He is not his father." Gawain wrinkled his nose. "I cannot go back to Camelot. Uther'll kill me on sight."

"Let him try." Challenge spewed a rude snort from her.

"Josie, he'll burn you at the stake for doing your stuff. Just be careful! Talk to Boeve. Okay?" He looked her firmly in the eye. "I mean it."

"So do I. I will not let Merlin stay under that boy's thumb!" She curled her lip. "Even exiled, Merlin wants that."

"Aye he will. Time to talk with Merlin. Too bad he cannot go to that other place." He scratched his head. "He has enough nobles who owe him. I'll get him to collect."

A sharp knocking came from the door.

"Now who?" He stalked over to the door and pulled it open. "Aye?" He relaxed.

Britomart frowned under his gaze. "I was told Princess Josiane is in there. I am here on my lady, Princess Mithian's, behalf. May I come in." She kept her tongue in check.

"Sure. Come on in, Red." He looked her over as she walked in. "Hey, Josie!"

"Britomart?" Josiane took a step toward her. "How does Princess Mithian like the dress?"

"She wished me to thank you. The dress was precisely what she needed." Britomart curtseyed.

"Britomart." Josiane squirmed. "I am an exiled Princess. I have told you not to bow to me. Please, my Friend."

Gawain smirked and coughed. His finger ran an exaggerated rub across his nose. "Kind of suits you, Brit."

"Pardon me?" Britomart stiffened. Indignation flared in her eyes. "And who are you?"

Embarrassment bowed Josiane's head. "Britomart, this is my Uncle Gawain. Uncle, Britomart, Princess Mithian's chambermaid. Uncle, please. That was not nice."

He gulped from his goblet. "Just more stuffy noble stuff. She could learn a few things from Merlin."

"Actually Merlin is a kind and polite man! He serves and cares about people! HE HAS MANNERS, YOU OAF!" Britomart huffed a sharp breath. "Princess, I have to help Princess Mithian to get ready. We are grateful. Perhaps you might teach your so-called elders MANNERS!" She curtseyed and marched out of the chamber.

"And look at her go!" His eyes twinkled. For some reason, he'd enjoyed egging Britomart on. "She sure has that spunk!"

"Uncle Gawain, enough." Josiane shook her head at him. "Why did you say those things?"

"Josie." He rolled his eyes. "She needs to get over herself. At least Merlin knows what he is."

"I wonder. I will see you at dinner." Josiane hustled out the door.

She cannot take a little teasing? Brit better toughen up! He shrugged the point off.