Chapter 54 [Late Afternoon]
[Outside of Whitgate's Walls]
Accolon and Morgana marched their forces toward Whitgate. Magic, Strategy and Fast Thinking had minimized the fighting. For the allied Nemeth/Tintagel forces, the stratagem prevented injury to their forces. The Cawdorians marched under guard of the victorious knights. Defeat, Humiliation and Potential Execution sagged on their spirits. Their hands remained tied. Their swords confiscated. The war machines' former carts carried the wounded back to Whitgate.
Malodius roared in sight of the walls. Celebration loomed. A new age was set to begin. Through his link with Merlin and Kilgarrah, he knew that Meleagant, Dynwald and the rebel councilors were secure.
Perhaps Purge could end. Co-Existence could begin anew. Hope beckoned them forward.
"What was that for?" Morgana frowned at the lion.
"Malodius tells the people of our return." Ywain pointed to the ramparts. "Listen."
Bells pealed. Ringing serenaded with Triumph's sweet notes reached the assembled forces' ears.
"Ywain and Malodius, I am leaving you with the knights on guard duty. I will ride ahead to tell Master Wyngate that the Cawdorians are in need of aid." Galahad spurred his horse on toward the drawbridge.
"We will return as soon as we can. Perhaps Meleagant does not believe in treating his defeated warriors decently. We will not be so barbaric. Lancelot?" Accolon and Lancelot followed Galahad's progress.
"Perhaps if we have healers, they can start?" Morgana presumed.
"Aye. Lady Britomart is a trained healer. I shall tell her." Ywain bowed to her. "Thank you, Good Lady."
Morgana nodded. She urged her horse toward the city.
Now to deal with these injuries. Ywain headed toward the wounded. Possibilities had no idea of treating the wagonload.
[Dining Chamber]
Merlin drank from his cup. Regard took in Elegance's trappings. Polish gleamed off of the table. Goblets sparkled from Sol's reflected light. Meat and Vegetables on plates. Servants waited along the walls….
…but he still drank from his wooden cup….
He tapped his fingers on the table. His mind weighed the bigger issues. Experience reminded him of Subjects' needs at that point. Mouths needed food. Villages needed to be rebuilt. Crops needed resowing. Infrastructure established.
"My Prince?" Mithian placed her hand on his forearm. "Are you all right?"
"Hmm?" He stirred from Reverie's introspection. "Oh…" He rubbed his forehead. "Aye. I was thinking about the kingdom and our people. We have a lot to do."
"Indeed so, Prince Merlin." Elaine ate a piece of meat. Concern kept her mind firmly focused on her father's estate. "Might I say your outlook is refreshing?" She blushed. "Pardon me. I speak out of turn."
"Nay. It is all right. You share your mother's outlook, Lady Elaine. That is refreshing as well." Mithian regarded him. "We will deal with Meleagant in good time. Merlin, you will wake him up."
"He is awake. I let the spell lapse after he was in his chamber. I will not use my magic to keep him in perpetual sleep. It is tempting but it is not right." He ate a bite of vegetable. "I also sent him a plate of food. We will deal with him. Despite what happened to Gawain's family, I want it to be just."
Mithian smiled. "And you doubt yourself? Father would definitely agree."
"I am so overwhelmed. I see all of these things to be done. I do not know which one to do first." He frowned. "Everything needs doing."
"And we will get to it all, my Prince. You have accomplished a first precedent for our reign. Mercy and Practicality should guide our hand. We secure our borders. We renew and establish alliances. From within, we will need a new council. We will need a new court physician regrettably. Then a survey is due. Grandfather did the last one fifty years ago." Mithian tsked under her breath. "I believe we will have to do that."
"And allow the magic people to be pretty?" Marie blurted out.
"Aye." He patted their young guest on the shoulder. "To let us be pretty like you are." A twinkle sparkled in his eyes. "How do you like your meal?"
"It is so good! Thank you!" Marie's eyes brightened.
"Well that is what we want to hear." Mithian looked to Merlin. Attitude and Joy were attributes she wanted to see more of. Determination would make that so at least in her mind.
A knock came from the door.
"Aye?" Mithian turned toward it.
Regius stuck his head in. "Begging your pardon, Princess Mithian. King Accolon and Queen Morgana have returned. Might I let them in?"
"Absolutely!" Mithian turned to the waiting servant. "Harold, please bring a meal for our guests."
"At once, Milady." Harold bowed to them. He hustled from the room. In the passage, he bowed to Accolon, Morgana and Lancelot. "Welcome, Good People. I will have refreshment."
"Thank you, Sirrah." Gratitude coaxed a nod from Accolon. He led the others into the chamber. "Good morrow and good tidings, my Friends!"
"Elaine stood and bowed to the newcomers. "What news of the battle, Your Highnesses?"
"After someone took Meleagant and his lackey away, the Cawdorian army fell apart into a herd of mindless beasts. Our armies encircled and subdued them in quick fashion." Snort escaped Morgana's lips. "It does make me wonder how many times you did that back in Camelot, Merlin."
"Knowing you, Prince Merlin, more often than we might guess." Lancelot allowed himself a chuckle. His eyes spied Elaine. "Lady Elaine?" His eyes were drawn to her. Pulse raced.
"Lancelot?" Elaine gulped. Sweat dampened her palms. Heart skipped a beat. "You fought today?"
"Aye he did." Merlin got up from his chair. "I am grateful.' He shook Lancelot's hand and then those of Accolon and Morgana. "I knew you all would take care of everything once Kilgarrah and I took Meleagant away. He is upstairs. Cannot be seen as abusing magic after all."
"Nay we would not want that, Merlin. What would Gaius say after all?" Sarcasm barbed Morgana's response.
"Gaius would want Merlin to use his magic responsibly." Lancelot saw Marie. "Who is your friend, Lady Elaine?"
Elaine stirred from Amor's glance. "Oh. Pardon me. Lancelot, this is Marie. Marie, this is the noble Lancelot. I…." Her heart fluttered at the mention of his name.
"You seem nice." Marie bowed her head.
"And so do you, Child." Surprise offered Lancelot much to think about. When he had met Elaine at Astolat months earlier, Confinement still stifled her. He resented Bernard's treatment of her. For some reason, Melancholy could not badger him about Gwen as much around the abused heiress. "You are in noble company with the Lady Elaine."
"You are too kind, Lancelot." Elaine sighed in spite of herself. Desire warmed her in that heartbeat.
Merlin watched Amor's drama unfolding in front of himself. He knew of Lancelot's pain where Gwen was concerned. Still he saw a way forward as well. He motioned to Mithian about it.
Mithian nodded. Without Words, Cues made a decision for them.
Harold bore three more plates into the chamber. "Here we are, my lords and Lady." He set them up around the table.
First they'd eat. Then to business….