Chapter 10 [Merlin and Mithian's Chamber—A Half of an Hourglass Turn Earlier]

Consternation burned at Merlin. He rubbed the back of his neck. Dejection's tears welled up in his eyes. He bowed his head. He'd seen Success' signs all about the expedition. Elena and the Amazons remembered Rodor, Mithian and him from their past dealings. Better still, Respect went both ways. Elena accepted the next month's invitation. Their alliance all but reaffirmed. The Amazons protected sorcerers and magic. He'd found his footing in Diplomacy's arena.

Then, Camelot's approach stopped everything in its tracks. Rather than stay and talk like adults, Arthur's prejudice forced their retreat. Mithian, Elena and Morgana had outvoted him in that regard. Why does everyone just give in to Arthur like that? Not all magic is evil! Lady Reyna died because she helped me. Now, he wants to arrest Josiane for helping to save Hampton? Really? I'm not his servant any more. Why should I have to hide from the Prat?

It's all in the timing, Prince Merlin, Malodius chimed in from the passage. Princess Mithian and the queens agree with you. Still, we have to think of the bigger picture. Look at King Arthur's reaction to Hampton. We helped him there. Princess Josiane and you played key roles in the town's defense. Yet, King Arthur showed nothing but ingratitude toward King Accolon and us. Queen Elena and King Arthur have their issues already. Cawdor and Mercia would go to war at any opportunity. King Rodor and Princess Mithian can tell you more. Master Gaius is here to see you, my Prince.

Gaius? Merlin hustled toward the door. He opened it to find his friend/former mentor waiting there. "Gaius? Come in." He ushered him inside. "Sorry. We just got back. I was thinking through everything that happened." He closed the door behind himself.

Gaius bowed at the waist. "I imagine you are. King Rodor and Princess Mithian told your mother and me about it. They are pleased. It seems you made quite the impression on Queen Elena." Slight smile cracked his face. "Morgana said the same thing. I do not understand why you are brooding in here. The expedition met its goals. The Amazons and Nemeth have renewed their alliance. Tintagel and the Amazons have their alliance. We avoided trouble with Camelot." He examined Merlin's face and posture. "Ah. Now I understand." He nodded.

"What?" Merlin narrowed his eyes.

"This is about Arthur." Pained Sigh escaped Gaius' mouth. Eyebrow arched a couple of inches. Back in Camelot, he would've lectured Merlin and added a 'what did you expect?' for good measure. Now, Protocol demanded a (slightly) relaxed course. "Aye. You want him to accept you as you are. Merlin, I can understand that. I truly can. You are Crown Prince of this kingdom. You are exceeding everyone's expectations in many regards. Your instincts are leading to good ideas for Nemeth. I do speak with Lord Blumenwald. He is very complimentary of you. You earn friendships and allies in other lands as well. You do have many things yet to learn. Just as you did in Arthur's household, you will grow into your duties here still further. You have King Rodor and Princess Mithian to guide you." He rubbed Merlin's arm. "I am proud of you for not making a bigger issue out of this morning. I know it was painful. As Prince, your first priorities are Nemeth and its people. Diplomacy demands the balance. As Emrys and Dragon Lord, you have to consider every magical being. The old religion is there as well. You have obligations and responsibilities. You have opportunities. Unfortunately, the price is your friendship with Arthur. I told you what revealing your magic would mean. It is for the best. Arthur, however, does not believe that. He still sees magic as evil. He will not change his mind about Kilgarrah or Malodius. Princess Josiane, Morgana and Gawain are traitors…."

"What about all of the times magic has helped him! He owes his life to it!" Merlin protested.

"Of course! Arthur, however, only sees the evil in magic. Uther ingrained that thought in his nobles and Arthur. Look at what happened to you with the Witchfinder. You were careless out in the woods. Someone saw you. They reported you to Uther."

"I know that! Arthur needs to open his eyes. He isolates himself and Camelot. He'll have to go to Cawdor and Mercia for help. Odin and Meleagant will make him pay for it." Grimace twisted Merlin's mouth into a near-pretzel shape. "The people in the Gedref are stuck between Camelot and Nemeth. We have mutual enemies. There are projects that could help both of our kingdoms and Tintagel. But the Prat refuses to talk because of magic! He has to WAKE UP!" Frustration brought Merlin's fist down on the desk. Canary glowed in his eyes. Somehow, Restraint kept his magic in check.

Merlin? Merlin, what is it? What is the matter? Are you all right? Mithian called out to him.

"Merlin, calm down. My word!" Gaius advised. "I wish Arthur would come to his senses as well. Still, he knows nothing else. As far as he's concerned, sorcery killed Uther and Igraine. He only knows that. Camelot's nobles still cling to those beliefs. Still, Merlin, you cannot react. You cannot lose control. Everyone is looking to you as an example."

"I know that! Everyone is looking to Arthur as well! All right? If he does not change, nothing changes! Gaius…." Merlin shook his head.

"Merlin, I know I have preached to you to work carefully. We had to do so back in Camelot. Still, we are in a much different situation now. Again, think of the united front this morning between the Amazons, Tintagel and Nemeth. Other kingdoms are watching Nemeth and you. You have to restrain yourself. I believe there is a very good chance that the gathering next month could bring about a treaty. That, Merlin, is up to you. You can only control your own actions. You cannot control Arthur's actions or anyone else's for that matter. Again, Merlin, focus on what you can control. Focus on your own priorities. Let King Rodor worry about Camelot. You focus on learning more about being a Prince, a sorcerer, a Dragon Lord and a husband. Let the rest go as it will. I have faith in King Rodor to look out for you. If he can get the other rulers to agree to this tolerance pact and the Sorcerers' Code, everyone can stand up to Arthur together. This is not just your fight."

Merlin bowed his head. Double Standard provoked Resentment with him. Still, Responsibility pushed an even keel and balanced course. He knew Gaius had a point. Still, Betrayal stung his heart. "I know. Gaius, it hurts. After everything we've done…."

"I know, Merlin. One day, I hope Arthur will understand that for himself. Until then, you must act as a Prince. You cannot react." Gaius rubbed Merlin's arm. "I know you can do it."

Merlin! It is Sir Gawain! Come to the door now! Malodius interrupted their discussion.

Within a heartbeat, Banging came from said door. Gawain called, "HEY, YOUR PRINCINESS! OPEN UP! WE GOT A PROBLEM! YOU KNOW WHERE GAIUS IS? EVERYONE'S LOOKING FOR HIM! OL' WYNGATE NEEDS HIM!"

"You were saying?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Nice to know some things stay the same." Wry Smile broke through Mood's overcast.

"Indeed so. Remember, Merlin, poise and restraint." Gaius allowed Merlin a smile. Gawain will never change. The King pulls his hair out, I'm sure! What would Wyngate need me for? He is as certainly as good a physician as I am! He shuffled right behind Merlin toward the door.

Merlin yanked the door open. There, he discovered an impatient Gawain lingering in the passage. "Gawain? Gaius came to see me. Is everything all right?"

Gawain rolled his eyes. "Hate to break it to you, Merlin but something just keeps bollocksing this morning up. You and me…we need to talk about you taking off without me this morning. Then, I hear about ol' Arthur nearly screwing things up with the Amazons. Now, he is in the Physician's Chambers. Rodor and Mith wanted me to come get you. Wyngate and Brit are working on him right now."

"Gawain, Arthur's…?" Merlin stopped cold in his tracks. Shock paled his face. Granted, he hated his former liege's prejudice. Still, he valued Arthur as a friend even if the feeling didn't seem mutual.

"Him? Gawain, King Arthur's wounded?" Gaius peered out over Merlin's shoulder. "By the way, bow."

"Bow?" Gawain rolled his eyes. "Aw! We don't…."

Malodius tensed. Emerald Eyes flashed at Recalcitrance's chief knight. Snarl raised hairs on the trio's backs. Respect and Protocol had to be upheld after all.

"Fine! Whatever!" Gawain bristled but he bowed. "Yeah! Arthur's got a sword wound! Are we going or what?" He turned to head back toward the stairs. "What?"

Merlin shrugged at Malodius. That is as much respect as he gives anyone. Some things just do not change. He allowed Gaius to walk out into the passage. Then, he closed the door behind them.

King Rodor and Princess Mithian would disagree, Prince Merlin. Malodius knew Mithian did not care for Gawain's irreverence. (Even with Certain Princes' preferences, there were limits after all…) King Rodor is over all of us not the other way around. Paws stomped down the passage.

Terseness, it seemed, ran around the citadel….