Chapter 42

Mithian's traveling party's horses galloped hard down the South Road. Their legs' length devoured Distance's expanse between the previous night's camp and Whitgate. Urgency pushed them past Temptation's urged breaks. Water skins quenched Thirst's arid hold on mouths and throats.

Across Dundalgan's rushing water and rapids, Accolon, Morgana and their choice knights matched that rate of speed. They'd sent the foot soldiers on ahead to Keystone and the adjacent crossing point to the capital.

Eyes tracked Sol's passage across the sky. It passed Zenith's perch. Now Descent progressed toward Rest beneath Horizon's Western Extreme.

Tempus Fugit….

[A Turn of the Hourglass Later—A Quarter of a League from Whitgate]

Mithian pulled up on the reins at the trail's fork. Anxiety's butterflies beat against her stomach. Regency and Responsibility pressed down on her. Her mouth sagged despite her efforts to keep a smile on her face. She forced her hand into the air to signal a full stop.

Several lengths back, Merlin and the others did just that. He turned to Ywain and Galahad. "Keep an eye open. We do not need any surprises. I am going to talk with Princess Mithian."

"Of course, my Prince." Galahad bowed in his saddle as best as he could manage.

"Thanks." Merlin urged his horse into a canter. Questions and Doubts ate at him as well. He had to find a way to meet expectations. Then Inspiration hit him. Memoria reminded him of his support toward Arthur in these situations. He'd jumped in where few servants would dare to tread. He protected Arthur's flank. Sacrifice, as promised to Gwen, demanded his share of Injury's torment. He suggested potential moves to Arthur and the other knights.

Gwen's actions and firmness under fire revealed more to him. Threats and Attitudes sought to keep her from Arthur's side. She never backed down from anything. She made her way to Arthur's side no matter what.

Instinct had served them both well in those situations. Action bred Confidence's encouragement.

And now it was Merlin's turn to do the same for his Princess.

I can do this! We are partners! He made his way toward his fiancée. "Mithian?"

She perked up. "Merlin? Are you all right?" She considered him for a few heartbeats. Instead of Hesitation's paralysis, Strength shone in his eyes. Confidence and Support readied him to stand beside her.

"Aye. That is what I want to know. Are you all right?" He looked back toward the others. "You do know you are not alone. King Rodor had confidence in you. I believe in you."

She nodded. A small smile popped up onto her face. Her finger flicked a tear from her eye. "Thank you, Merlin." She felt Doubt evaporate from her mind. She placed her hand on his arm. "You see? You are meant to be here with me as well. Do not forget this."

"I am trying. If I can do it for Arthur. I've seen Gwen do it for him. I can do it for you," Merlin affirmed. "Are we ready? We should let the court know we are here."

She nodded. "We should." She rode back toward the others. "We will press ahead. King Accolon and Queen Morgana wait just beyond the river. Malodius, let the sentries know we are here."

Malodius put his head back. A massive roar echoed through the forest and to Whitgate's walls. Birds scattered. Deer bolted back into the trees. He, for his part, glanced back at the royal couple.

Gawain grimaced. He rubbed his ears. "Geez, Blood Lion! My bloody ears ache from that!"

"We approach openly, Gawain. We…." Galahad stopped in mid-sentence. "Princess! Get back! Ywain! Gawain! Boeve!" His hand went for his sword hilt.

Three dozen crimson knights rushed from the forest. Armor, Swords and Axes glinted in Sol's setting light. They hustled toward the riding party. Warning Shots fired wide from Crossbows' string.

"Meleagant's scum!" Ywain dismounted from his steed. "My Prince and Princess, GET BACK ACROSS THE RIVER! GALAHAD!"

"I am here, Ywain!" Galahad drew his own sword. "We are too heavily outnumbered by ourselves!"

Morgana! We could use some help here! Merlin called.

So you need help? And here we were waiting…. Morgana snarked.

Milady, we are in a reserve role! Merlin, we will be right there! Accolon chastised.

Thanks! Merlin winced at Morgana's sarcasm. He saw the others already had weapons in hand. Indecision tore at him. He did not want to expose his magic. He had no blade to defend himself either. Now what?

"Pay attention, Merlin!" Mithian aimed her crossbow. She fired two bolts into the advancing enemy onslaught. She pushed her sword hilt first at him. "Take that! Get ready!"

Merlin grabbed the sword's handle. I am doing something! He looked back toward the river. "They're coming!"

"Yeah? Merlin, come on! Get a sword and start fighting already, Mate!" Gawain drew his sword. "Josie, you stay back and…." He could not find her. "Where are you?"

"Look up!" Irritation over her uncle's chauvinism grated on Josiane. She'd already taken to the air on Carpet's woolen strands. Scimitar deflected Menace's missiles. "WATCH YOURSELF, UNCLE GAWAIN! MOVE ASIDE!" She swept low over the grass. Her fingers brushed across the grass.

"JOSIE, GET BACK HERE! THAT'S NUTS!" Protest narrowed Gawain's eyes and curled his lip. "The things I do…." He charged after his niece. The next event stopped him cold in his tracks.

Lavender Glow enveloped the grass in front of the party. Akin to Early Spring's Flood, the energy rushed over the terrain. Underneath it, grass and earth turned to pitch. Anything, including the knights' feet, stuck fast in its clutches.

"STAY BACK! REINFORCEMENTS ARE COMING!" Merlin pointed back toward the river. Accolon, take care! Josiane has trapped the Cawdorians in pitch! We do not want you to be trapped yourselves!

Hoofbeats echoed from River's south shore. Accolon led Reinforcements' Vanguard onto the battlefield. "Surround these ingrates!" He led his knights in a circle around the ensnared enemy forces. "YOU THERE! MEN OF CAWDOR, THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS! YOU WILL BE TREATED FAIRLY!"

Gawain brandished his sword. "Or not…just give me an excuse!"

"Gawain, stand down!" Mithian shook her head. "I will not have any unneeded bloodshed here!" She kept her crossbow raised and ready to fire. "Cawdorian Knights, you have heard King Accolon! I am Crown Princess Mithian of Nemeth! I am ready to do as he has promised! Surrender! You are surrounded!" She set her jaw. Regality glowered in her eyes. "Did you think you would ambush us so easily?"

The tallest Cawdorian knight threw his sword down. He spat on the ground. Indignity burned in his heart. Despite his training, he valued his own life and those of the other knights. "Our Lord Meleagant will kill us for this weakness!" He turned to his companions. "Best to risk their dungeon than…."

"COWARD!" Another Cawdorian knight swung his axe. He caught his comrade flush in the chest. "WE ARE CAWDORIANS! DEATH BEFORE SURRENDER!" Defiance reddened his face to match his armor's hue. He raised his axe for the next attack.

Merlin slipped behind the horses. He could see that the Cawdorians' resistance would only end in further bloodshed despite Accolon's and Mithian's wishes to the contrary. He did not want to risk a prolonged battle and possibly facing more Cawdorians beyond Whitgate's walls. Once out of view, Canary glinted in his eyes once again. He raised his hands. "Dì-Armachadh!

Weapons suddenly gained Independent Will. Swords, Axes and Crossbows ripped themselves from Cawdorian hands. They flew away from their former masters to land harmlessly near the Nemeth party.

"MORE BLOODY SORCERY?" The former Axe Wielder strained to lift his feet from the tar to no avail. Resentment chafed in his heart over Fortuna's sudden reversal.

"Be grateful we allow you to surrender!" Josiane raised her scimitar. She nodded to Mithian.

Mithian cleared her throat. "THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! YOU ARE DISARMED! SURRENDER!" She looked at her companions. "PRINCE MERLIN?"

Merlin stepped back into view. "I am all right!" He stood watch over the confiscated weapons. Relief eased his mind in that his magic remained a secret for the most part. "Gawain, Galahad, help me with these! Ywain! Malodius! Stay with Princess Mithian!

Mithian coughed. Realization grasped onto what Merlin had done. Acknowledgement prompted a bow from her. "Bind their hands! They will return with us!"

"It does not matter, Witch! Our army is but a day's march from here. We will crush you!" Axe Wielder vowed.

"Be grateful that Prince Merlin and I put you in the dungeon and not on the gallows!" Mithian watched the Tintagel knights, Galahad and Ywain secure their prisoners. "Princess Josiane, perhaps…?" She motioned toward the pitch patch.

Josiane walked over to the pitch. She brushed the sticky surface with the barest fingertip. Once more, Lavender Glow transmuted the ground. This time, however, Reversal restored the ground to its former state. "There. Now no animal will be affected."

"Witch!" Axe Wielder struggled against his bonds. Hatred reddened his face.

Amusement and Irony elicited a cold snicker from the exiled Princess' lips. "If I was a witch, Dog, I would have turned you into a toad. That would better suit you." She turned and stalked away toward her carpet.

"Gather them together! FORWARD!" Accolon pointed ahead down the path. He nodded to his Queen.

"First detachment with us! The rest watch for Meleagant!" Morgana added.

Mithian, Merlin and the traveling party rode ahead of the Tintagel forces and the Cawdorians. Malodius led the way across the lowered drawbridge and through the Lower Town.

Sentries from the ramparts waved torches to alert the citadel of the royal return. Emerald Flags waved Greetings to their Princess and her companions. Bells rang out. The populace stopped their activities. Bows and Curtseys greeted Convoy's passage. Enthusiasm buzzed in the air.

"HAIL, PRINCESS MITHIAN! HAIL, KING RODOR'S DAUGHTER! HAIL, PRINCESS MITHIAN! HAIL, KING RODOR'S DAUGHTER!" Acclaim bellowed from everywhere including the very cobblestones themselves (or so it seemed).

Mithian waved. "PEOPLE OF NEMETH, THANK YOU! IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME! MY HEART IS OVERJOYED TO BE AMONGST YOU ONCE MORE! I WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY IN A SHORT WHILE! THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL GREETING! WE ALL HAVE MUCH TO REFLECT ON!" She took Merlin's hand in her own. "YOU SHOULD KNOW! WE HAVE A NEW PRINCE! MERLIN, SON OF SIR BALINOR OF ESTEEMED MEMORY, AND I HAVE A SPECIAL BOND! HE CARES FOR YOU AS MUCH AS I!"

Merlin swallowed Anxiety down hard. He raised his hand. "PEOPLE OF WHITGATE AND NEMETH! THANK YOU! I AM GLAD TO BE HERE! I WANT TO DO AS MUCH AS I CAN FOR ALL OF YOU! WE WILL TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND BENEFIT!" He raised Mithian's and his own hands overhead. "TOGETHER!"

Raucous Cheer and Huzzahs erupted from the assembled crowd. They raised their fists. Joy and Affirmation rained forth from everyone. Approval made its impact felt.

It seemed that Kay's short reign had left them wanting….

"You see, Merlin? They approve." Mithian smirked.

"And you?" Merlin exhaled a heavy breath. Relief warmed his heart.

Mithian's smirk widened. Mischief sparkled in her eyes. "I think I can care for those rough edges." She giggled. "Come along." She followed Malodius up the cobblestones.

Merlin looked to his companions. Curiosity and Anticipation wondered what awaited them next….