Chapter 58 [Whitgate]
Merlin stirred. Pleasant Thoughts pervaded his dreams. He'd seen himself presiding over legal disputes. He worked alongside his subjects in both kingdoms. Roads improved. Cooperation ensued. Contentment eased minds and hearts….
…and beside him, a certain brunette Queen collaborated and presented ideas of her own….
His eyes met the light chocolate brown spray across the next pillow. His heart warmed. He sat up with care. Mithian had given him a wonderful week. Surprise after Surprise presented themselves. After the funeral's solemn gathering and a proper two day mourning period by Nemeth's standards, she showed him around the palace. They shared intimate meals. They led the knights and courtiers to inspect Whitgate and its vicinity for damage. Wedding outshone even Fantasy's and Expectation's wildest outlooks.
Hunith remained in disbelief over the entire situation. She was delighted by his visit of course. Still New Scenario presented conundrums for her. Balinor's real identity and ties to Nemeth stunned her. Guilt ate at her for sending her special boy to the very man who'd kept them in their hard and dusty existence. She and Mithian formed a special bond practically from their first embrace. Given that she had long since relinquished any leadership in the village, she embraced the move. Now Adjustment expanded her horizons to castle life. She took on Responsibility's mantle in the community.
Matrimony's handfasting brought several couples together as well. Perhaps Inspiration fed off of the new King and Queen's hearts and feelings for one another. Ywain brought Lady Laudine to court. Lancelot and Elaine stood before Nimue and their rulers. In addition, they adopted Marie. Even Gawain (as unbelievable as that might sound) recognized a good thing. He accepted Britomart's proposal.
Happiness and Joy spilled throughout the entire capital. Flowers grew along cobblestoned paths. Traders flourished. Crops were sown in the northern fields anew. Mood seemed to pick up in the people.
Everything is set here. We have to travel to Cawdor. Responsibility sagged on his shoulders. Strategy puzzled to find a way through Aggression's sentiment. Despite and perhaps because of his encounters with Cawdor's war machine, Respect allowed for a positive outlook. He had benefited from previous journeys across the largely pastoral kingdom. Halstead in the north and Petersburgh in the south stood as the main two towns. Being close to the Nemethian border, Petersburgh would serve as a capital.
"Mmm…Merlin?" Mithian frowned. She grunted. Her eyes squeezed shut.
"Good morning." Merlin watched her turn to face him. "Sleep well?"
"Aye." Satisfaction spread a noticeable smirk across her face. "I wish we did not have the Cawdorian ministers later. I would like to take your mother on a royal progress." She sat up. "Good morning, my Prince." She got up from the bed and pulled on her robe.
"I know. We also have to select the new Royal Council today as well." He noticed their breakfasts waited on the table for them. "Clarissa already knows our routine."
"Better than we do." She took the cover off of one plate. There she found a thick ham slice and some grapes awaiting her palate. "I believe breakfast is served."
"So I see." He raised her hand and kissed it. "Another good morning."
Her eyes twinkled at him. "I appreciate the gesture, Merlin. We should eat. I would rather not see you starve."
"You would not?" Teasing prompted a cough from his mouth.
"Nay. I would not. Someone has to make sure you take care of yourself." She stuffed a grape into her mouth. "That is me."
A pounding came from the door.
"Now what?" He walked up to the door and opened it to find Gawain standing there. "Gawain? Sorry but we are about to eat."
Gawain cleared his throat. "You do that. Gaius and that Nimue lady just showed up in a magic poof of smoke. Arthur's being a prat again."
Merlin shook his head. Arthur, you said you could co-exist! He glanced back at his meal. "We cannot let Gaius wait."
You mean we cannot wait, Merlin. Do you not? Nimue sniped.
Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Nay we cannot." Disappointment dampened her mood. She'd hoped for a few minutes with Merlin. "We will be right there. Can you get Clarissa?" She walked toward her wardrobe.
"Yeah. I got that." Gawain rushed toward Clarissa's quarters.
Duty called sooner than they'd have liked….
[Royal Dining Chamber—A Quarter Turn of the Hourglass Later]
Hunith took a draught from her goblet. Water broke Parch's arid hold over her mouth and throat. She still adjusted to the ornate chamber and the exquisite food. Her companions' sudden arrival took her even further aback….
…and that despite her ride there on Kilgarrah's back….
Gaius barely acknowledged Nimue to be honest. Shock numbed him. Readjustment to his current surroundings would require time. Questions peppered his mind about the future. Where will I go? Master Wyngate is the court physician. I will not intrude on my friend's space. Merlin, what have you done? We cannot go back to Camelot. You are way over your head.
"Still the malcontent, Gaius? And here I saved you from a trek through the woods." Irritation raised Nimue's brow and stirred Temper's fire within her. "Arthur is being unreasonable."
"Arthur tries to keep matters under control. You stirred up feelings against magic with your display back there!" He shook his head.
"Do you think I want your company?" Sarcasm's snigger slithered from her lips. "You forget yourself, Gaius. I serve the goddess. It is she that wanted you here. She decided the Young Pendragon needed a lesson in the overall scheme of things. I do what I am told. Perhaps you should as well."
Indignity stiffened him. "I serve Arthur just as I did Uther!"
"You were supposed to serve the goddess." Nimue took a mouthful from her own goblet.
"What are you two talking about?" Hunith tried to follow their discussion. Before the previous few days, she had found Uther to be a fair and just King. Gratitude tied her to Arthur, Morgana and Gwen for their help against the raiders years earlier.
"I am reminding Gaius of his true obligations, Hunith." Nimue looked Hunith over once again. Admiration elicited a nod. She could see the strength and character in Merlin's mother. She'd also witnessed Compassion's effect on Hunith as well. What a formidable priestess she would have been for the goddess.
Aye, Daughter. Remember though that I have need of agents in the outer world as well. Hunith accomplishes her purpose, the goddess reminded her.
Of course. Nimue bowed her head for a couple of heartbeats. I have regard for those who respect us and our place in the world, Milady.
As well we should. At least Hunith could raise Emrys the way we needed him to be raised. It is a worthy insight. You made my point to Gaius a few heartbeats ago. Well spoken.
Nimue nodded. "You have much to be proud of. Merlin has done quite well for himself." She took another look around the palace. "You handle the adjustment quite well, Hunith. I am sure this is overwhelming for you."
"I just cannot believe Merlin is the King here." Hunith shook her head. "It seems like a dream."
"If Merlin is not careful, it could be a nightmare." He tapped his fingers on the table. "What was Morgana's or Morgause's parts in this, Nimue?" Suspicion glared at Nimue through narrowed eyes.
"Morgause and Morgana schemed to stop Uther. They did that. The goddess allowed it in as much as it suited her goals. She wants Arthur as King to co-exist with magic. The boy should remember what he owes his existence to." Nimue gulped from his goblet.
"Owes…what?" Surprise stiffened Hunith. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Go on, Gaius. Tell her or I will." Satisfaction glimmered in Nimue's eye and widened her smirk. Challenge goaded at him.
He frowned. "Uther wanted a male heir. His queen, Igraine, was barren." He sucked in a deep breath. "He was desperate. He went to Nimue for help. She…cast the spell. Igraine became pregnant. King Arthur was born. Unfortunately…"
"Unfortunately?" Hunith could feel Dread's and Regret's respective vibes coming from him. "Gaius, what happened? What happened to Queen Igraine?"
"She died." The Eyebrow raised his hairline several inches. "The balance required a life to be given for King Arthur's. Igraine died so that Arthur could live." He shook his head.
"That's terrible! Could not another life be chosen? How could anyone or anything be so cruel?" Protest unsettled Hunith. Horror paled her face.
Gaius leaned back. "That is the way the universe is. I pray Merlin understands that."
"Understands what, Gaius?" Merlin stepped into the chamber. Expectation held his attention onto the last words. He waited for Mithian to enter at his side. "Are you all right? This is a surprise." He threw his arms around Gaius.
"It was a surprise for me as well, Merlin. It is always good to see you. I am relieved you are all right. We heard about the battle with Meleagant." Gaius stepped back and bowed to Mithian. "Milady, I am glad you are safe as well."
"We are thanks to Merlin, our knights, allies and the goddess' graces." Mithian sat down in her chair. "Merlin lived up to his father's standard. He and Kilgarrah effectively won the battle before it had begun."
"Merlin, what did you do?" Hunith gulped from her goblet. Consternation curled her mouth into a grimace. "You were in the middle of that fight?"
"Nemeth was counting on me. Kilgarrah and I swooped in. We captured their King and Chief Lieutenant and brought them back here. The Cawdorians decided they wanted Mithian and me to rule them instead of Meleagant." Merlin nodded to Clarissa. "Thank you."
"You are most welcome, Sire." Clarissa curtseyed. "For you, my Queen." She set a new plate of ham and fruit in front of Mithian. "And for you, Sire." She set a new plate down in front of Merlin. "I had these warmed up for you both."
"Thank you, Clarissa. That is most thoughtful of you." Appreciation prompted a nod and a smile from Mithian. "Perhaps we might wish to see to our guests?"
"Of course, my Queen." Clarissa served a similar plate and arrangement to Gaius and Hunith. Hesitation stopped her from offering a plate to Nimue. "Pardon me, Milady. Does…your order…umm…eat meat? I did not wish to offend by serving it to you." She bowed.
"Nay we do not. I will take the fruit however." Nimue nodded. "Thank you." She accepted the bowl from Clarissa. "I am impressed, Merlin. I like this one."
"We appreciate that." Merlin turned to Clarissa. "Leave the pitcher. I will call if we need you."
"Of course, Sire. I will close the door?" Clarissa stepped out the chamber. She closed the door behind herself to respect the privacy therein.
Gaius sampled the ham. "Thank you, Merlin. This is most gracious of you both. Considering this morning's situation, it is a better welcome than I would have expected."
"In spite of everything at Hampton Castle, Master Gaius, you have a home here. If you were not King Arthur's man, we would offer you a position here at court." Mithian bit into a grape. "There are opportunities for a man of your talents and experience here at court."
"Opportunities? Milady, I do not understand. Master Wyngate is my friend. I would not step over him to gain a position here," Gaius insisted. He looked to Hunith, Nimue and then Merlin in turn. He wanted to be around Merlin again. He definitely wanted to be close to Hunith. Without his practice in Camelot, he lacked Purpose's structure. Everything seemed to beckon to him.
"Master Wyngate will be going to Petersburg." Mithian rubbed her chin with his left hand. "He has agreed to be the Court Physician up there. Sir Percival and Lady Blancheflor are respected on both sides of the border. We have received oaths from Cawdorian leading knights. Sir Gawain has ties to Cawdorian nobility through his father, Sir Robert d' Arbourne. Princess Josiane is Sir Gawain's niece. She, Lady Britomart and Duke Boeve have proven themselves on the battlefield to the Cawdorians. From these people, we will build a royal administration. We want to respect Cawdorian customs and traditions. They want to learn more about Nemeth. We can co-exist with care."
"We need a Court Physician, Gaius. Maybe Arthur can….?" Hope pushed the offer from Merlin's mouth. His eyes begged his former mentor to take the position. Eagerness tapped his fingers on the table.
"Tell him, Gaius." Nimue drank from the goblet.
"Tell me what?" Merlin leaned closer to Gaius. He could see Uncertainty in the elder man's eyes. "Gaius, what is it?"
Gaius bowed his head. "Merlin, I knew there would be consequences for keeping your secret. I do not regret doing so. However in exposing yourself, you exposed me." He frowned. "Arthur knows that I knew. He expelled me."
"He what?" Hunith gasped. Horror bleached her face still paler than earlier. Regret panged at her conscience. "Gaius, this is my fault."
"Nay, Mother. It is not." Merlin shook his head. "I made the decision to use my magic and my link with Kilgarrah. Uther had expelled me. I had to save Nemeth. I had to save Mithian. I did so. Arthur has to learn to deal with magic. He promised King Boeve that he would do so."
"Well he will not. The goddess put him in his place this morning. Boeve knows of the Pendragon's broken vow not that it should surprise you, Merlin. How many times has Arthur gone along with magic when he needs it? Then he breaks his word? Camelot was barely spared from Morgause and Cenred. The goddess gave them another chance. I pray he understands that he provokes a war. It is not Morgana, Accolon or you both. It is Arthur Pendragon and Camelot who resists the co-existence."
"We can talk to him. Surely he will see…." Hope dominated Merlin's mindset in that particular moment. He wanted to convince his friend and former liege that magic was no more of a threat than a sword or any other tool. An alliance would help their kingdoms. He wanted so many things to work out…for Prophecy's sake if not for Practicality's Concepts.
"Merlin, I am sorry." Mithian shook her head. She weighed the situation's many facets in her mind. "Father and King Uther were not always on the best of terms. I know Father always kept a watchful eye toward Camelot for aggression. Camelot has always scorned our tolerance toward magic users. The Gedref remains under dispute between our kingdoms. I would have peace for Nemeth's and Cawdor's sake. And for you. I do not want to come between Arthur and you."
"How did that happen? You two, Morgana and Gwen were so close!" Regret lingered on Hunith's face. She recalled the four younger people who had fought alongside Ealdor years earlier.
"The Pendragon discovered Merlin's and Morgana's magic. He rejects them." Nimue shrugged.
"The knights and landed nobles are Uther's men as well. They share his views. I fear we will have a struggle to see your dream to reality, Queen Mithian." Gaius bowed his head. "I will take the Court Physician position. Perhaps I might even work with Master Wyngate to train Britomart further?"
"We would appreciate that, Master Gaius. Thank you." Mithian smiled. "As soon as we are done with our meal, we will formalize the process. You will have Master Wyngate's current chamber. The King has described your former collection of medical tomes. I fear our books are not as plentiful but we shall make due."
"The goddess took his books and left Camelot's for their use. We can send your books to this Wyngate's new chamber. Then Gaius might use his own books," Nimue declared.
Meaning Nimue put on a display in front of Arthur. Why do I feel like that backfired? Merlin raised an eyebrow. "We will have to negotiate a truce at least. We need time in Cawdor."
"We will attend to both matters, my Prince. Have faith." Mithian rubbed his hand. "Let us take one matter at a time."
Merlin chewed on a piece of ham. Issues continued to spin around in his mind.
The Old Issues never seemed to go away….