Chapter 59 [Midmorning—Whitgate Throne Chamber]
Activity buzzed throughout the chamber. Urgency pressed Nemeth's Nobles to their places in front of the dual thrones. Servants and Castellans stood along the sides. Three Cawdorians stood in their unique crimson armor. Gaius and Hunith waited in front of the Nemethian nobles. Blumenwald held onto a stack of parchment documents. Nimue, Morgause and Morgana waited by the chamber's side. Malodius sat in front of the dais.
Regius stood outside of Passage Door. Anticipation and Excitement raised every sense to its edge. He noted Merlin and Mithian's approach. He bowed to them. "Good Morn, Sire and Milady."
"Good morn to you as well, Regius." Merlin glanced toward Mithian, the herald and then around the passage. Nerves' butterflies clashed about in his stomach. "Is everyone ready?"
"Aye. They await you both. If you are prepared, I shall announce you." Attention and Respect straightened Regius' posture.
Mithian nodded. "Aye. Please do, Regius, with our thanks." She watched the herald disappear into the chamber. "We can do this, Merlin. Remember it is for us to lead them."
"I know. I am glad to have your support." Merlin thought over the entre session's agenda. Just hours before, he and Mithian had sent Galahad and Sir Richard to Camelot with a treaty proposal. Gaius and Hunith would join Nobility's ranks. Councils would be named. His hand squeezed hers. "Guess it is time?"
"It is. Confidence, my Prince." Support clenched her hand back around his. Warm spread the smirk across her face. "Our people await us." She led him to the door.
"ATTENTION, GOOD PEOPLE! PRESENTING THE MASTER AND MISTRESS OF THIS HALL! KING MERLIN AND QUEEN MITHIAN!" Regius stepped aside to allow the royal couple to stride into the chamber.
As one, the assembly reacted. Most bowed or curtseyed. The priestesses offered nods. Emotions surged around the chamber for what would come next.
Merlin took over the lead at that point. He walked with his Queen up to the thrones. After she stood before her throne, he went to his. "THANK YOU, PEOPLE OF NEMETH AND HONORED GUESTS! TO OUR FRIENDS FROM CAWDOR! WELCOME!"
The Cawdorians bowed to the throne. Their eyes never left the throne. Despite Apparent Weakness' visage, they well knew Merlin's capabilities. Expectation had initial achievement through the new provisional capital at Petersburgh.
"WELCOME, EVERYONE!" Brevity held Mithian to a short greeting. Merlin had already met Purpose's requirements quite well. She surveyed the chamber. "After the events of the past fortnight, our kingdoms' business awaits us. It will be a time of transition in many regards! We have expanded our borders through our dual rule with Cawdor. Each side has a great deal to other in this regard! Each side can respect local customs and traditions! We have made choices. The first matter concerns our newest members of our local court. Gaius and Hunith, please stand and approach us." She stood. "King Merlin?"
Merlin stepped down from the throne. Joy warmed his heart and mind. His eyes watched his mother and former mentor make their way toward them. "Thank you, Queen Mithian." He cleared his throat. "Hunith…" He stopped for a heartbeat. Unfamiliarity stopped his tongue at the use of her name. "Hunith, our predecessors promised Sir Balinor a place for you. In addition, your service in Ealdor to those around us certainly proved your nobility of heart. It is our decision to make you a noblewoman and free. You will be a member of this court. Please kneel."
Hunith kneeled in slow almost jerky movements. Pride warmed her heart over his regal position and success. She looked around at the others assembled there. Disbelief still numbed her mind. Thinking itself became difficult. She trembled.
Gaius smiled and a brief nod. Pride warmed him as well. With some effort, he got down on his knees. He looked up at the King standing before himself. Memoria reminded him of the bumbling boy who'd stumbled into his chambers a decade before. Images cascaded across his mind's eye charting Development's and Maturity's path across years. Experience, ever the patient master, had honed Merlin like a good sword…had aged him like Wine's best vintage. And now we have the next step to our adventure.
May you remember where you are now and your loyalties, Gaius, Kilgarrah reminded him.
Merlin drew his sword. "And with my sword…" He tapped each of her shoulders in turn. "…I make you noble and free. I hold your oath of loyalty to us already. You are now a member of this court. Congratulations, Lady Hunith." He walked over to Gaius. "And, Gaius, your previous service to Camelot will have many advantages for Nemeth and Cawdor alike. We have talked. As with Lady Hunith, we have your oath. And with my sword…." He tapped each of Gaius' shoulders. "…with my sword, I make you Lord Gaius, noble and a freeman of our court. You will be our new Court Physician." He sheathed his sword. Then he helped both new nobles to their feet. "Congratulations!" He embraced both of them.
"As say I! Well done!" Mithian embraced her mother-in-law and new physician. "We look forward to seeing what each of you will do with your positions at court. We shall talk again later." She smiled once again.
"Thank you, Sire and Milady." Gaius bowed to them.
"Thank you, my King and Queen." Hunith curtseyed before them. She didn't feel any different. Transformation had struck with the taps of Merlin's sword. Whereas she'd been a humble villager before, she was now noble and free. Adjustment would take time. She helped Gaius back to their previous position.
Mithian waited a few heartbeats. Then she pressed on, "We shall be forming a council for each kingdom. We will watch over both of course. After the unfortunate events, we require a new Royal Council here in Whitgate. We wish to announce those position will be filled by our Prime Minister, Lord Blumenwald, our new Court Physician, Lord Gaius, Countess Elaine and Mathias of Botsborough." She glanced at Merlin.
Merlin looked toward the Cawdorians. "Lord Ragelstan, Lord Carlton and Lord Regalston, we look forward to your labors during the transition. In addition, Sir Gawain, Lady Britomart, Princess Josiane, Count Boeve, Lord Percival and Lady Blancheflor, you will work with them on our Council of the North. We have tasks for you to work on during this time. In particular, we will be speaking of an assessment for both lands. That survey should start soon."
Mithian picked up the baton once again. "Our assessors will ride through the kingdoms. We will need to see your manorial records. We will resume my Father's and Grandfather's tradition of hearing our subjects' concerns here and in Peterburgh. We will be fair to all." She sucked in a deep breath. "May the goddess bless each of you. That is all. You are free to go."
The group bowed and curtseyed once again. They streamed back out the exit and toward their waiting horses and wagons. Estate Matters and Record Collection awaited them back home. Many wanted a start as soon as possible.
Merlin walked over to Ragelstan. "Queen Mithian and I wish to respect Cawdor's customs as well as Nemeth's. I trust that our subjects will feel better with councilors who have ties to Cawdor or the border?"
"Indeed so, Sire." Ragelstan looked to Carleton and Regelston. Respect bowed his broad shoulders and torso before his new King and Queen.
"You show us more respect than our late King would have, Sire." Carleton bowed his slender body and blonde haired head before the two rulers.
Regelston bowed as well. Age's snow streaked his dark red hair. "We will await you in Petersburgh, Sire. We should be on the road."
"Before you three leave, Lord Regelston, you three and the other councilors will dine with us tonight. We should discuss matters and share concerns. You may leave at First Light. We would treat you with respect and dignity," Mithian invited.
"You and King Merlin are most kind, Milady." The three Cawdorians bowed once more. Then they departed. To be honest, Uncertainty and even Resentment had tinged their thinking. Now Respect and Fairness set their minds at ease. Compassion, despite Meleagant's rants, did not signify weakness. Rather Equality and Even Handedness offered due process. It would show a healthy start.
Merlin allowed the chamber to completely empty. Then he embraced his mother and Gaius once more. "Looks like we are family again."
"I cannot let you out of my sight, Sire. Not that I would. I do suppose we have matters to discuss, Milady?" Gaius raised The Eyebrow. Humor prompted a grin and special sparkle in his eyes.
"I cannot wait to hear more, Master Gaius and Lady Hunith." Teasing glowed in her eyes. Chuckle escaped her lips.
Crimson streaked Merlin's cheeks. Embarrassment made him squirm.
Despite being King, he had his family and household to contend with. And to be honest, he wouldn't have had it any other way….