Chapter 23 [Boeve's Castle, Dining Chamber]

Candles flickered about the chamber. Plates of beef, smashed potatoes and peas sat before each person. Goblets of wine or water awaited the guests. Servants bustled about the area.

Conspicuousness dogged Merlin's mood. Instinct pushed at him to jump up and wait on everyone alongside Boeve's staff. The food pleased his palate. His eyes looked around the table. What is going on? Gwen and I should not be here? Count Boeve could send us back to Uther for execution. He drank from the water goblet.

"Is your food all right, Merlin?" Boeve bit into a piece of beef. Before that afternoon, he'd only known Merlin as a servant. Thanks to Josiane and Mithian, Reconsideration cast Merlin in a whole new light.

"Aye. I just want to help, Count Boeve. I…." Merlin pushed his chair out.

"Merlin, please. It is quite all right." Mithian shook her head at him. Humility's display pleased her. Once again, her heart screamed over the treaty and engagement to Arthur. "You have more than earned your meal."

"You got that right. You should see Merlin in a scrap. He doesn't have armor or weapons. He keeps Arthur safe." Gawain bit into a piece of bread.

"So I have heard." Boeve nodded to Gawain. "And I have seen as much. Now I understand. I am glad the King did not find out about your magic, Merlin."

"He had several close calls." Gwen took a deep draught of wine to ease that notion down. Her eyes met Morgana's as well.

"Living at that court must be a very hard thing." A smooth faced blonde man scooped potatoes onto his fork. "I feel for both of you, Merlin and Lady Morgana." He put the food in his mouth.

"It had its difficulties. Merlin obviously was a better actor than any of us gave him credit for." Morgana smirked at him. "I imagine Gaius had something to do with that."

Merlin shook his head. Akin to the sky before Storm's fury came down, his eyes narrowed. His lip curled. Patience faded in his expression. "He made sure I did not do something really stupid. What did Morgause do for you?"

"She wants what we should all want, Merlin. For our kind to be free of Uther's tyranny." Ice stabbed from Morgana's eyes. "Gaius stood by and allowed our kind to be slaughtered in droves! Your protection of Prince Arthur helps none of us!"

"I do not want our King's paranoia inciting more reprisals against sorcerers and magical beings, Lady Morgana." Boeve drank from his goblet. "Take Accolon for instance."

"Prince Accolon?" Question raised Morgana's eyebrow.

Canary glowed in Accolon's eyes. His fingertips swiped through a candle flame. The flame danced on his fingertips instead of the wick. "It seems we have that in common as well, Milady." He set the flame back on the wick again. "I wish to accompany you back to Camelot. My father is dying. He wishes me to marry as soon as possible and prepare to take the throne. Tintagel is not Camelot. However, much as King Rodor did in Nemeth, I intend to offer sanctuary to magical beings, sorcerers and the old religion. I would very much like a high priestess as my partner and future queen. What say you, Lady Morgana?"

Warmth rushed up and down Morgana's spine. Her heart skipped a beat. "Prince Accolon, I believe you know my answer." She grinned. "Aye." She held out her hand.

Accolon got up from his seat. He walked over to Morgana. He picked up the hand. His lips whispered Amor's acceptance across her knuckles. "You honor me, Morgana. Granted King Uther will have to agree."

Morgana rolled her eyes. "Of course." She squirmed at that thought. Conditions worried her. "He'll demand you allow his persecutions."

"He can try." Accolon shook his head. "He isolates himself and Camelot with his policies. With due apologies to King Kay and you, Princess Mithian, your brother pursues the same end."

"Our father would not have agreed with Kay. He seeks to rid himself of my efforts on the royal council. He knows I will protect sorcerers and magical beings. Unfortunately he has forgotten about the life debts we owe to Malodius and the dragon lords, Sir Balinor and now you, Lord Merlin." Mithian's eyes met Merlin's.

"Princess, I'm not Lord of anything…." Embarrassment streaked Crimson across Merlin's face. He coughed into his fist.

"Merlin, the only reason you are still a servant is because you want to be, Mate! Listen to her!" Gawain slapped the table.

"I still think you should tell Arthur, Merlin. He will support you in front of Uther." Gwen nodded to Morgana. "Aye, Morgana. It is true."

Morgana chuckled. "Oh this is so rich! I wonder what Arthur will think? To imagine that his personal idiot is actually…let's see…." She savored the moment. She started counting off matters on her fingers. "The holder of a hereditary knighthood and a secret nobleman. A dragon lord with a real dragon lurking in the background. A sorcerer. Or maybe…." The smirk spread across her face. "The fact that his fiancée cares for you. You're suddenly dealing with feelings for her. He and Dear Sweet Gwen want each other."

"So not helping." Merlin ground his teeth. Acknowledgement however tacitly registered Morgana's points in his head. For Shadow's and Sideline's creature, Exposure brought Discomfort. Granted he'd upset Camelot's court applecart from time to time. Still Relative Invisibility shielded him from Repercussion's lash…

…no chance of that happening now…

"It is not his problem any longer, Lady Morgana." Josiane motioned toward Merlin. "King Uther exiled Merlin and Guinevere. They are free to seek out whatever safe haven they can find."

"In the meantime, I wish for you to remain here, Josie. I will not expose you to the King's diatribes again. Merlin and Guinevere, you shall stay here as my guests. These are matters of diplomacy. You both have met the requirements. There is nothing more to say. It is the law of Camelot and Nemeth." Boeve finished the last piece of meat. He took another draught from his goblet.

"Tell Uther that." Sarcasm raised Morgana's eyebrow. "Arthur told him of Gwen's fulfillment of the laws. Uther said it did not matter. He would allow what he wanted to." She looked toward Gwen. "His double standards are well known."

"And you are not threatened by me any longer?" Gwen folded her arms across her chest.

"Things work as they should. Morgana is not your rival now. Uther has put us in competition. I am forced to court a man who loves and is loved by another. Meantime…." Mithian took a gulp from her goblet. "Meantime I have feelings for another man as well…a man worthy of the throne and my hand if he will take it."

"Princess, I cannot start a war." Merlin bit his lip. Instinct shifted his hand onto Mithian's. His eyes drifted in her direction.

Morgana shook her head. "Why, Merlin! Attracting Arthur's fiancée? Whatever will he think?" Amusement pulled at the sides of her mouth.

"Aye." Merlin got up from his seat. "I need to be excused. Thank you, Count Boeve. I'm sure you understand?" He bowed to Accolon. "Congratulations, Prince Accolon. I hope you and Lady Morgana get your permission from Uther."

"Thank you, Merlin. Such well wishes are welcome. Remember, that offer of sanctuary is yours as well." Accolon affirmed,

"And I thank you as well, Merlin." Gratitude and Appreciation prompted a nod from Boeve's head. "Your consideration for Camelot is refreshing."

"Just doing my best to serve the Greater Good." Merlin glanced once more at Mithian. Then he turned and walked out of the chamber.

Mithian gulped from her goblet. Why does this have to be so hard? She stuffed a piece of food in her mouth.

Intrigue was building….