Chapter 24
[Merlin's Chamber—A Turn of the Hourglass Later]
Tension ate at Merlin. He stared up at the ceiling. Mattress and Quilt wrapped him in Softness' Balm. Lavender and Chamomile blunted Nerves' assault on his body. His mind, however, remained a different matter. Boeve's hospitality eased his mood. Accolon's offer to Morgana solved another set of problems.
Exile, however, offered a new set of issues….
He narrowed his eyes. Politics and Arthur's Request demanded Merlin take Gwen from there. Despite Boeve's outlook, they remained in Camelot. Granted the castle lay on the kingdom's fringes. Still it was in Uther's domain nevertheless. He could get her to Ealdor. That way, he could look after Gwen and Hunith. He could send word to Gaius.
Everyone would have their lives….
At least they'd be relatively safe….
He squirmed. His heart ached. Despite Duty's decision, Warmth enticed him. Privilege and Knighthood beckoned. Amor held him fast….
…held him close to the afore-promised Princess….
Mithian had proven herself a worthy friend. She cared for servants and the people. Service was her highest priority. Prejudice had no hold on her. She valued him not for what he could do….
...rather for who he was….
Why is this so twisted? Princess Mithian and Arthur are supposed to get married. Uther made sure there's no way I can interfere. There's no way I can come between them. I will not start a war. I…. He slapped the mattress. Gwen and Arthur did not want that marriage. Mithian seemed to be losing Enthusiasm's charge for it.
Perhaps other possibilities present themselves, Young Warlock? Kilgarrah interjected.
"What other possibilities? Uther and Kay made a treaty. They'd never allow…." Merlin rubbed his forehead. He really didn't want to debate with the Great Dragon.
And since when have you *ever* stopped for such things before, Merlin? Were you not the one who championed the love shared between the Young Pendragon and the maid? Did you not spare the Lady Morgana when I and others told you to kill her? And now you stand on the cusp of a new age, Kilgarrah snarked back.
"New age? Aye." Sarcasm raised Merlin's eyebrow and curled his lip. "I'm making sure Gwen and Mother are safe. That is my first priority now."
Are you sure, Emrys? The goddess' voice butted in. Your heart and instincts pull you in a different direction. Do they not?
"Lady, I…I…" Merlin's eyes sagged. Gentle notes soothed his ears. He sunk into the pillows. A deep trance swept over him….
[Dreamscape]
[A/N: Yes I know this is all happening really fast. Bear with me please...]
A warm breeze held Merlin aloft. Melodies caressed his ears. Darkness gave way to light. Light gave way to Euphoria's high. He soared above clouds' puffy blinds. He took in the view.
"Merlin! Merlin!"
Serenity cast a dreamy smile across his face. His heart beat faster and faster. He dipped beneath the clouds. His eyes scanned the lush green meadows and trees. Then he spotted the brunette muse waving to him. A sigh escaped his lips. "Mithian."
"Aye, Merlin?"
Something shook his left shoulder.
"Mmm…stop. Don' want to wake up."
A playful snort jarred him out of Reverie's embrace. "Do you always sleep in like this?"
Merlin blinked his eyes open. His vision blurred into focus. He stiffened. Surprise jarred him to his senses.
Mithian kneeled over him. Her eyes sparkled. A particularly healthy 'gotcha' smirk spread across her face. "Do I really want to ask what you're thinking about?"
Embarrassment streaked Crimson highlights across Merlin's cheeks. "Pr…Princess? I…" He looked around. Instead of the bedchamber and his bed, his palms pushed down on long grass. Chill dimpled his skin. Pink and Green hues played across Nocturne's backdrop.
"Better get up. Everyone's waiting." Gawain grabbed Merlin's arm. He hoisted his friend to his feet. "Better be more careful. What were you telling me about being all respectful and proper?" Mischief sparked in his eyes.
Merlin ground his teeth. "Not helping. That lavender and chamomile was stronger than I thought." He rubbed his forehead. He noticed Malodius, Morgana, Accolon, Josiane, Boeve, Gwen, Gawain and Mithian. "Princess, I am sorry."
"Merlin, it's all right. I understand." Mithian coughed.
Morgana sniffed. Amusement played out across her face as well. "That was most careless, Merlin. She is waiting for us."
"She?" Merlin rubbed the back of his neck.
Morgana is referring to me, Emrys. The goddess floated just over the grass. Pay attention. What I have to say has grave importance to you all.
"Grave importance, Milady?" Accolon bowed before her. "What might we do?"
Your reverence and rapt attention are required, Accolon of Tintagel. I bear grim tidings. For a generation, the defilers have wrecked havoc on my garden. Their weeds choke my harvests. Their swords cut down my reverent servants. Tonight, the tide turns. Uther Pendragon and Kay of Nemeth have passed beyond the great veil. Caerleon of Tintagel will join them before Day streaks the eastern sky. The goddess paused.
"My brother…?" Mithian gasped. Tears welled up in her eyes. "What did he do? He has not ruled long enough…"
Kay was already ill with the pestilence, Mithian of Nemeth. He concealed it from everyone save your healer. He pressed Uther for your marriage before his death. As you know, he disagreed with your sire on a great many things. Now it is for you to take the throne. It is time for you to choose your King, the goddess pronounced.
"That sounds like your cue." Gawain nudged Merlin.
"Gawain!" Merlin winced. "I cannot presume."
Mithian snorted. "May I speak, Lady?"
Aye, Mithian of Nemeth. The goddess extended her hand. Proceed.
"Thank you." Mithian bowed her head. She turned to Merlin. "Merlin, I mourn for my King and brother. Without my father, I am the next in line for Nemeth's throne." She exhaled deeply. Composure needed every bit of her strength to press on with the rest of what needed to be said. "I know we just met. It's so sudden. But when I look at you, I see something truly special and wonderful, Merlin. I need a man of singular quality at my side. You are a knight by hereditary right and title. Your heart is good. You serve others. And you respect me as a woman instead of a pawn." She glanced toward Accolon and Morgana. "You heard Prince Accolon earlier." She gazed into his eyes. "Merlin, I want you to rule with me in Nemeth. You can bring Lady Hunith from Ealdor. There is so much good we can do." She got down on her knees.
"Princess, please do not bow. I am not…." Merlin swallowed hard. Disbelief choked off his thought. Arid nerves parched his throat. He struggled to even breathe.
"Merlin?" Gwen nudged him. "Do you remember what Arthur always says to you?"
"You mean shut up?" Merlin frowned.
"Nay! DON'T BE AN IDIOT!" Gwen slapped him in the arm.
"Ow!" Dismay narrowed Merlin's eyes. "Gwen, what was that for?"
Gwen facepalmed herself. "I cannot believe you'd hesitate!" She motioned toward Mithian. "That is a wonderful offer, Merlin!" Purpose narrowed her eyes.
"Gwen, Merlin is not an idiot. Please do not call him that…. If he does not…." Mithian started to stand up.
"Princess, I did not say nay. I was saying I am not worthy of you." Merlin looked into Mithian's eyes. "I know what an opportunity this is. To be with someone who values me and respects my magic, I want this more than anything. I want to value you too."
Tears welled up in Mithian's eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. After Engagement's many failures and Insults' cruel barbs, she'd found her Prince. She bowed her head. Her lips whispered Gratitude's messages.
"What did I say? I upset you." Assumption backed Merlin up a step. He looked around at the others.
"Nay, Merlin." Accolon shook his head. "Stay your path. Give the Princess her space."
"Indeed so." Mithian sniffed. A collecting breath marshaled Resolve's purpose once more. "I am sorry. I am overwhelmed."
"I did not mean to do that to you. Just one more thing. You should not bow to me." He took her hands and tugged her to her feet. "We are equals?"
"Aye." Mithian relaxed. "Merlin, does that…?"
Merlin nodded. "Aye. I have a lot to learn. I want to be the best for you and the people of Nemeth. I do not want to be another Royal Prat…."
Gwen cleared her throat.
"Truth hurts, Gwen." Gawain smirked.
"Merlin, you can never be a Prat. Granted you have rough edges. I do too. We will work on them together. We will grow together." Mithian squeezed Merlin's hands in her own. Plea begged from her eyes. "Please."
Merlin's heart threatened to beat through his rib cage. He still could not believe she was offering herself to him. He could not believe that after not even a day, Feelings stirred in that fashion. He looked at the others.
Expectation reflected in the others' eyes.
Duty demanded certain things. Not many of them however would benefit his mother and him both. Not many of them came from a person in Mithian's position. Fewer came from someone who respected him. Best of all, Tolerance could come from their example.
And Amor poured forth from his Princess as well. From that seed, a flower bloomed inside of himself….
Merlin raised Mithian's hand. Amor's whisper slipped past his lips and across her knuckles. "Aye, my Princess."
Mithian pulled him into a tight embrace. Joy exploded in her heart. "Thank you, my Prince." She kissed his cheek. "I believe our friends will forgive us our display."
"Yeah! I will expect a few rounds later, Merlin." Gawain shrugged.
I am glad for your understanding and commitment, my Children. We do have other pressing matters. The goddess turned to a bubbling cauldron. She chanted low and in long forgotten tongues. Canary flashed in her eyes.
Mist rose from the cauldron to envelope the area around it.
Gaze into the mists. See what has happened and happens now.
Shimmers dulled the mists. Images cascaded through the wisps…
Arthur stewing in his chamber.
Gaius packing his sack in the Physician's Chambers.
Tintagel's King gasping in his bed. His eyes bulged. His skin paled. His fingers gripped the bedspread with lessening strength. Drool dribbled from the sides of his mouth.
Cenred running Uther through with his blade. Enjoyment and Gloating glinted in his grin.
Kay breathing his last in Whitgate's council chamber.
Wyngate concealing the truth of Kay's death from court and people alike.
Crimson surged from Cawdor toward Nemeth's northern border. Meleagant hungered for Conquest's spoils.
Cenred appeared once more. His Mercian horde besieged Camelot. He'd propped Uther's corpse for everyone to see. Fire and Rocks rained down on Camelot's walls once more. Knights tried to climb on ladders.
The old order is crumbling. A new one rises. The question is what will come of it? Will more dictators spread cruelty? Or will the new order rise up for the Greater Good? The choice….
"The choice, Milady?" Accolon bowed slightly at the waist.
The choice is yours to make. You are at the crossroads. I leave the choice to you. Which way will you take? Now time is of the essence. Thank you. The goddess waved her hands again.
Light dazzled everything away….