Chapter 27 [Dining Chamber—A Quarter of an Hourglass Turn Later]

Boeve walked into the chamber. Mourning weighed down on his heart. Shock jarred him to his core. Uther is dead? Cenred really killed him? His fingers tapped on the white tablecloth. He weighed over Changes' rearrangement of Diplomacy's objectives. Will Prince Arthur be ready to lead? Uther did not want the maid to marry the Prince. Yet he will be King. And Princess Mithian has been linked to Merlin by the goddess?

"You seem troubled, Beloved." Josiane leaned against the doorframe. Observation discerned Trouble's weight bearing down on his shoulders. She poured herself a goblet of water.

"And you are not?" He smiled in spite of Hopelessness' overwhelming tide. "Does your god grant you serenity?"

"I have my faith. I trust in him to provide. We are not alone, Boeve." She set her goblet down on the table. "We have allies. We have fortifications and supplies. Strategy can guide us." She embraced him. "If I only had Papa's loyal Hamijj."

"Aye." Boeve returned her gesture with one of his own. Her strength and resolve replenished his flagging spirit. Hope sparked in his mind. "One day we will face Mustafa together. We will find your mother. I am sorry. That has to be a matter for another day." He released a deep breath. "We have troubles enough both inside and outside of Camelot and Nemeth."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Prince Accolon, Prince Arthur and Princess Mithian will ascend their thrones. Morgana, Guinevere and Merlin will do so as well. Camelot will have to hold against Cenred's forces. Nemeth needs Merlin and Mithian to lead their knights into battle against the Cawdorians. Prince Accolon will stand with us."

"If our nobles do not revolt against Guinevere and Merlin first. They will support Uther's last wishes. We must be unified against Cenred and his sorceress." He paced back and forth.

"And there are Uther's former victims. They will fight alongside us. They want coexistence and tolerance for their beliefs. You know that!" She clenched her fist. "I am tired of Uther Pendragon's bigoted beliefs!"

"Prince Arthur feels the same, Josie. Be careful." Caution prompted his eyes' survey about the chamber.

"Most think me a witch anyhow." Disdain prompted a scoff from her lips. She brandished her scimitar. "Let them come for me. By the Prophet, they will smart for it!"

"You know I would protect you to my last breath." His lips affirmed Support's vow across her forehead. "I do agree."

"I know." She raised his hand. Her lips brushed Amor's response across his knuckles. "We have my uncle. He will take his share of heads…that is if Britomart does not kill him first."

Snort escaped his lips. "She can fight? She is but a maid!"

Satisfaction spread a wide smirk across her face. "I have sparred with her in the training yard. She will surprise everyone. Princess Mithian and I have had a coat of chain mail prepared for her."

"I see. You are full of surprises." He watched Merlin and Mithian enter the chamber. "Ah, Princess Mithian! Merlin!" He bowed to them. "Welcome! We await Prince Accolon and Lady Morgana."

Mithian assessed the chamber and the finely set table. "I trust that we are all well. It was some evening. You should see the flowers Merlin brought to me this morning." She squeezed her Warlock's hand.

"Oh really?" Josiane nodded. "You are a Prince for not even twelve hours. Already you achieve balance."

"He does much more than that." Delight shone through Mithian's eyes and smile. "He had the foresight to ask Britomart about my favorite flowers. He had them with him."

Boeve shrugged. "Merlin, I wonder if Prince Arthur knows just how talented you really are?"

Merlin grimaced. "It is Camelot. If I told him, he would never accept my magic. Since we are still in Camelot, that is a problem."

"It is not within these walls, Merlin. You are not a necromancer. Neither is Josiane." Boeve extended his hand.

Merlin shook it. "Thank you. I appreciate that." He saw Accolon and Morgana walk in. "I hope you are both feeling better than I am. Sorry it is a lot to take in."

Morgana raised a coy eyebrow. "Why, Merlin! I have seen you slip through tighter situations with Arthur. I am sure you are already plotting something." She turned to Accolon. "Merlin is quite clever at such things."

"To fool Uther, Arthur and Camelot is an accomplishment." Accolon shook his head. "I have heard you kept Prince Arthur from danger."

"Aye he did." Gwen joined them. She smoothed her dress. She curtseyed to everyone. "Good morning." She cast a wary look in Morgana's direction. "I have heard rumors."

"Aye! You sure did, Princess!" Gawain peered into the room. He grinned. "Well! We are all here! Uther isn't at the gates for Merlin, you or me. Life is good!" He offered a bow to Merlin and Mithian. "I heard all about it! About time you found someone, Mate!"

"Found…?" Gwen widened her eyes. "Merlin? What is he talking about?" She noticed Mithian hovering rather close to him.

Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. "You want the good news or the bad news?"

Gwen raised an eyebrow. She knew Guilt's look well on Merlin's face. "Merlin, I know when you are up to something." She folded her arms across her chest. "What did you do?"

"What did I…?" Merlin stiffened. "It was not all me. I mean…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I was glad it turned out that way. I…"

"What he means, Gwen, is that you are free to be with Arthur." Amusement chased Impatience across Morgana's face. "This is very amusing to watch Merlin squirm like a page with his hand on the sword. Truly though?"

Gawain snorted. "They're engaged. Merlin asked her last night."

"Actually, Gawain, I asked Merlin." Annoyance cleared Mithian's throat rather loudly. "Prince Accolon and I have enough to deal with this morning. Prince Arthur will as well. This is not any game. I would appreciate some seriousness out of you."

"What? All I said was that you were engaged." Gawain shook his head. "Can a guy not be happy for his friend? Besides Gwen loves Arthur. He loves her too. Everyone's happy." He poured himself a goblet and raised it. "Cheers!"

Mithian nodded. Even if she did not care for Gawain's attitude, Appreciation accepted his good will.

Gwen's eyes went wide. "Princess, what happened? Is Prince Arthur all right? Did we get attacked?"

"Nay, Gwen. We are all right." Merlin assured her. "We heard from a reliable source. Uther, King Kay and Accolon's father are all dead. Meleagant and Cenred are on the march with their armies toward Camelot and Whitgate. Arthur's still trapped where Uther left him locked in the tower."

"We can get him out of there. Right?" Gwen pressed the others.

"We intend to." Accolon sucked in a deep breath. "Guinevere, I shall see to Prince Arthur's release. I will return to Tintagel to honor my father. Then I must meet with the council to muster the knights and receive the Crown. Merlin, perhaps you can help me?"

"Accolon, I understand we need him. Merlin is an exile. We cannot risk him getting caught." Mithian bit her lip. She shook her head. "He cannot be in the citadel or seen from the citadel. That does not apply to me however." Mithian exhaled. "Morgana, perhaps we might attend to Prince Arthur's release?"

"Aye. That we can do." Morgana turned to Accolon. "Accolon, can you draft a letter for me to take to Arthur? If he agrees to our marriage, we can help Camelot."

"I will do that." Accolon raised Morgana's hand. "Take care, Milady." He kissed the back of it. "That goes for you as well, Mithian."

"I shall indeed. I would like something to keep my Prince occupied." Mithian arched an eyebrow at him. "I do not trust him not to put himself in danger."

"She has you figured out already, Merlin." Gawain took a draught from the goblet.

"You will come with me, Merlin. I require a representative from Nemeth. Does that suit you, Princess Mithian?" Josiane proposed. "My friend, King Bors, could ally himself with us."

"Indeed." Mithian coughed. "I will write a letter for King Bors concerning the situation. I want him to understand Merlin's importance."

"Merlin always does find a way to be in the middle of things." Sarcasm sparked in Morgana's eyes. "Perhaps we should eat. Then we might set off?"

"That is a good idea. Guinevere and Gawain will be safe enough here," Boeve assured them.

Getting everyone onto the same parchment was never easy….