Chapter 34 [A Turn of the Hourglass Later]

Merlin set the last of his clothes back in his sack. Disappointment ached in his heart. Dejection sagged over him like a wet blanket. He'd wanted a new day…a new coalition… Hope suggested that perhaps everyone could overlook Faults' blemishes and move ahead together.

Reality seared Naivety's false hope away. Rejection blazed in Arthur's eyes. It did not matter what more Merlin did, could do, or would do in the future. Acceptance would not be forthcoming.

I cannot keep hiding. I want to protect him. But how can I do that and be fair to myself? He cinched the sack.

A knocking came from the door.

"Now what?" Merlin set his sack on the bed. He trudged over to the door. Fears and Anticipation peppered his mind. "Aye?" He opened the door.

Mithian waited for him there. Caring and Compassion shone through her eyes toward him. "May I come in, Merlin?" Expectation arched her eyebrow.

"Huh? Oh sure! Sorry. I should be downstairs with everyone at dinner. I…just cannot look at Arthur right now. I do not feel like an argument with Gaius over my future." He ushered her into the chamber. "Can Britomart be trusted to be a witness? I want to close the door but I…well…do not want rumors."

"Of course! I brought her for that reason." Mithian signaled into the passage.

Britomart hustled in. She shut the door behind herself and curtseyed. "My Prince and Princess." Then she stepped to the side.

Mithian shrugged. "Merlin, we will be married soon enough. So there are rumors? I am not worried. Frankly I am more concerned with your feelings right now. We all saw how Prince Arthur treated you in the courtyard. After everything you have done, it is shocking! Gwen, Gawain and Morgana have told Princess Josiane and me about your deeds." Frustration's sigh escaped her lips.

"Arthur believes that magic is evil. He sees those deeds and my service as tainted. He will not care, Princess." He set his staff and grimoire on the bed next to the sack. "That's why you're different and…special. You care. You see that magic is a tool like a sword or plow. You do not see me as evil because I have it. You do not see me as a peasant."

"You only were because of Uther, Merlin. You served as long as you did because of that noble streak of yours." Mithian embraced him. "We are both unconventional. Maybe that's why we are attracted to each other?"

"Maybe. You have a warm heart. I…just will not ask those animals you hunt about that." Teasing eased past his lips.

Mithian snorted. "And I will not ask any of the magical creatures you've banished about your heart either." The infuriating smirk spread across her lips. "Merlin, you should not have to put up with that prejudice. I will not tolerate it. He may not like magic or want to be around it. Prince Arthur will respect you."

"Good luck on that." He shook his head. "Morgana and I made our point. I have to undo the spell so he can talk. I would hope it would do the Prat good. It will not matter. We could have seriously hurt him. Morgana would have killed anyone who talked back to her that way not long ago. She is making an effort. I want to try."

"You are doing not just trying, my Prince." Mithian rested her head against his chest. "Have faith. We will build our home. You can fulfill my grandfather's grant to your father. You can bring your mother to Whitgate. We shall have a special place at court for her. I cannot wait to meet her. Bards and courtiers have speculated about the woman who held Sir Balinor's heart for a generation. I want to meet the woman who raised you."

"She may not want to leave Ealdor. That is her home and all she knows." He shrugged. "Besides I am making everyone adjust to me. Even the household. I…." He noticed Britomart shake her head. "Britomart?"

"My Prince, may I speak frankly?" Britomart's eyes met his.

"Of course." Doubt and Worry over Britomart's frank manner had him hanging on her words.

Britomart mulled over her response. She weighed her feelings. Then she started in, "My lord, we have not known each other for long. I have seen a great many Princes and nobles. They consider me expendable. They want me to serve them and do not care about the people around them. You are different. What you have said to Milady is true for you as well. You have a warm heart. You care about people. You care for Princess Mithian as few have. Even as friends, you two are special. I believe you will grow together. I see your hearts coming together. Unlike a certain oaf that we will not mention…."

"You did." Merlin smiled.

Britomart blushed. "Aye I…did. I overheard Gawain ask Galahad if he could come with us. He is so brash and brazen! I…" Realization shut off that train of thought. "Pardon me, my Prince and Princess. This is about you, Prince Merlin."

"You have concerns. We are behind closed doors. You asked for permission to share them. I do not see a problem." He looked to Mithian. "Do you?"

"Nay. Gawain will have to learn reverence if he is to stay at our court. Princess Josiane speaks for him. I am willing to try for her. I know how the Prince values his friendship."

"Thank you." His lips whispered Amor's gratitude across Mithian's forehead. He noted how her eyes shone after that.

"Thank you, my Prince. We need good warriors. We need friends." Mithian blinked back Happiness' tears. She felt as if Wish had finally come true for her. "Just be patient with me."

"I'd ask the same of you." He embraced her. "I'm going to need a good teacher."

She nodded. "I will certainly have to do my best. Now won't I?"

Britomart wiped a stray tear from her cheek. Admiration warmed her over Merlin's treatment of her mistress. Despite Crises, Hurt and Pain, Instinct set those all aside. Priority put those behind others…behind Mithian…. Now Rejection's Queen or Prince in Petticoats had her match in him. Goddess, bless you, Merlin.

A sharp banging came from the door. "MERLIN! HEY MERLIN! YOU GOT TO HEAR THIS!"

Britomart stalked over to the door. "Pardon me, my Prince and Princess." She flung the door open. "Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian are talking to each other. Whatever are you braying on about?"

Gawain snorted. "Braying? Wow! Hey, Princess, where'd you find this one?" Snarkiness raised an eyebrow. "It's important. Now I need to get in there."

"It is a private conversation." Britomart crossed her arms across her chest.

"Oh…it's a private conversation." Gawain smirked. "And you are getting all of the details I'm sure."

Indignation streaked Crimson across Britomart's face matching her hair. "Why you! You…you…."

"Go on, Red. Say it! You are so dying to call me something!" Dare twinkled in Gawain's eyes. He pointed at his cheek. "Go ahead. Give me your best slap or whatever, Brit."

"Gawain, enough. All right?" Merlin interceded.

"Nay, Mate. Brit's all talk. She thinks she's all that and a bag of gold. Whatever…" Gawain started.

Britomart shook her head. She brought her knee up into his groin.

"AHH! GEEZ!" Gawain dropped to the floor. Pain stabbed through the aforementioned organ.

"You said my best shot, Sir Knight. Did you not?" Saccharin Sweetness and Sarcasm powdered Britomart's expression. "Maybe if it was larger, it would take a simple tap like that?"

Gawain grunted. "Yeah whatever. I…."

Britomart yanked Gawain by the shirt to her. Her lips pushed down onto his. Then she pushed him away. "Not bad. Perhaps if your breath did not reek of spirits and attitude?"

Gawain blinked. Perhaps it was a certain body part's pain. Perhaps it was Britomart's standing up to him. Perhaps even the brazen assault. She had his attention. "This isn't finished, Red." He grinned at Challenge's hallmark.

"I can deal with the most stubborn stench, you Oaf. I can deal with you." Britomart gulped. As much as she kept a poker face, her heart flip flopped. Now what? Oh no…no…no! HIM? "Now what did you wish to say to our lord and lady? That is if you are done with your blubbering?"

"Blubbering?" Gawain raised an eyebrow. Then he pulled himself to his feet. "Yeah well we are going to have to ride sooner than we thought. I am going to have to ride like this thanks to you." He turned his back.

"Ride?" Merlin frowned. "We are leaving tomorrow."

"Gawain?" Apprehension jabbed Mithian. She hesitated to think what had happened now.

Gawain ground his teeth. He rolled his eyes. "You know, Merlin, I was wrong about Arthur. So were you. He's taking the castle and title away from Boeve."

"He what?" Mithian gasped. "But they helped us! He cannot do that!"

"Arthur just did. I have a good mind to kick his royal arse." Gawain brought his fist down on a table. Darkness twisted across his face. "NOBODY MAKES MY NIECE CRY! NOBODY!" He stewed. "I'm helping her pack. Excuse me." He shook his head. "Might I leave now, Lady?" He bowed to Britomart.

"Aye we will, my Lord Windbag." Britomart raised an eyebrow. She shoved him out of the door into the passage. "We will help them together. That is if you can stand up straight?"

Gawain shook his head at her. He looked to Merlin for help but only received an urging to head down the hall. "Fine! Hope we can get Josie packed up before…"

"I AM WAITING!" Britomart bellowed from down the passage.

"I GOT IT! SOME PEOPLE!" Gawain rolled his eyes at Merlin. Then he sauntered toward Josiane's chamber.

"I have never seen Britomart like that!" Mithian shook her head.

"Gawain has that effect." Merlin motioned toward the open door. "Are you packed?"

"I will be ready for the road in short order, Merlin. I wish to give Prince Arthur a piece of my mind." Mithian's eyes narrowed. She stalked out of the chamber and into the passage.

Merlin rolled his eyes. He knew where this 'discussion' would go….