Chapter 3 [Merlin and Mithian's Bedchamber]
Merlin considered himself in the full-length mirror. The Nemethian emerald surcoat with its dragon patch had nary a blemish. The chain mail glistened in Sol's light. Excalibur hung in its scabbard over his left hip. It's here! We're about to face Meleagant. He sucked in a deep breath. Calm attempted to rein in Anxiety's charge within himself.
"The Sorceress attacked first, my Prince. It has already begun." Mithian stepped out from behind the changing screen. Her own emerald tunic concealed the aforementioned chain mail. Leather sleeves and breeches covered her arms and legs. High boots protected her knees and lower legs. She carried a dagger in her belt. Her quiver sat on her back. A helmet rested on her head.
"I just want this to be over. We need peace," he lamented.
A knock came from the door. Hunith stuck her head in. "Merlin? Mithian?"
"Mother, you heard?" He stepped toward her.
"The whole castle's in a panic. That witch was here again? Merlin, please tell me she didn't hurt either of you!" Hunith pleaded.
"Nay, Mother. We planned a trap. She fell into it. Unfortunately, she killed herself," Mithian assured her.
"Killed herself?" Hunith grimaced. Despite the Sorceress' misdeeds, she didn't wish that fate on anyone. "And now what?" She looked at their armor.
"Camelot needs us again. Let's hope Arthur finally sees some sense." He shook his head at that thought.
"Merlin, I pray for your sake he does. I know how you value his friendship. He has to accept you. You're his fellow ruler now," Hunith pointed out.
"I don't want to give up on that." Lament forced a frown onto his face. Disappointment dampened his spirits. "Uther ground those views into him. I still hope he can change. I have to believe that."
"You're doing all you can, Merlin," Mithian insisted. She embraced Hunith. "We will look out for each other."
"You'd better!" The older woman seized onto them both. "Take care now."
"Milady, pardon me." Britomart peered into the chamber. As with the two royals, she wore her full armor. "We're ready for the King and you." She bowed to them. "Prester John wanted you to know he'll be fighting with us."
"There! You see, Mother?" He kissed his mother's brow. "One more friend with us already."
"One more for you. How many thousands for him? Merlin, please be careful," Hunith pleaded once again.
"We'll be back, goddess willing." Mithian replied. "Will you walk with us?"
"Aye. It's the least I can do." Bravery prompted Hunith to offer them the best smile possible.
Leadership could be a burden to all….
[Outside of Citadel]
Galahad walked in front of the assembled knights. He chided himself over the knights' blatant disregard for Detail's biding. He knew Ywain pursued such things in earnest. He himself had sent reminders periodically.
Threat hovered just beyond their borders…Illusion or not…
Before him, the expeditionary force loomed. 150 knights awaited their rulers in the saddle. Sol reflected off of their chain mail. Bravery allowed for none of Fear's presence. In front of them, Josiane, Cligés, Ywain, Prester John, Lancelot, Gawain and Malodius watched the stairs. Kilgarrah and Aithusa stood off to one side with Freya.
On the top stair, Fenice, Sordedamors and Elaine suppressed Trepidation's presence as best they could. Foreboding fostered Worry however.
Eyes met each other. Fingers slid up and down leather halters. Horses grunted.
Regius strutted out of the door. He cleared his throat. "ATTENTION, WORTHY KNIGHTS AND FRIENDS! THANK YOU FROM A GRATEFUL KINGDOM FOR YOUR SERVICE! NOW, KING MERLIN AND QUEEN MITHIAN!"
Merlin and Mithian stepped out next. They held hands. Together, they surveyed the assembled host. While they didn't see their entire army, the group still held considerable merit. He nodded to her.
She cleared her throat. "Thank you for coming, Brave Knights! As you know, our enemies spill out from Cawdor! Meleagant and his collaborators have brought the war here! Those among us, Princess Josiane, Prince Cligés and Prester John, drift in exile to us because of them. Others of us know Meleagant's evil firsthand! We stop this now! Camelot is under attack! We will ride out to meet it!" She looked to her King.
Merlin stepped forward. "I know many of you are still angry over Camelot's recent visit here. But we will be the bigger friend and neighbor! We are neighbors! We cannot…nay…WE WILL NOT…allow the enemy to gain a foothold! We will be the example! Look at you all! You are the best knights in Britannia! Queen Mithian and I are proud to lead you! Whatever attitudes are shown, we will rise above them! We will be the ideal now!" He drew Excalibur and held it high overhead. "FOR NEMETH AND BRITANNIA!"
Mithian put her hand over his. Her eyes met his. Approval and Pride beamed in her smile. "FOR NEMETH AND BRITANNIA! FOR CAMELOT AND FRIENDSHIP!"
'FOR NEMETH AND BRITANNIA! FOR KING MERLIN AND QUEEN MITHIAN!" the assembled host cheered.
Merlin and Mithian descended the stone stairs. Without breaking stride, they headed toward the waiting dragons. He glanced to his left. "Princess Josiane? We'd like it if you'd ride alongside us."
"Aye, King Merlin." Josiane unfurled her waiting carpet. "Cligés, stand with me?"
Cligés looked toward Fenice. Then, he stepped onto the carpet at his sister's side. "Aye. I hope that Alys and Mustafa are there, Sister. Promise me that upon our victory, we will have peace between Constantinople and Cairo."
She embraced him. "Aye! As if there were any doubt? Let that be sealed!"
"Bloody straight, you two!" Gawain cheered them. "Just watch it!"
"Look to yourself, you Clot Pole," Britomart snarked beside him.
Gawain rolled his eyes. "Whatever!" He ground his teeth as the carpet rose into the air.
Merlin patted Kilgarrah's flank. Once again, we're called into the thick of it. Thank you.
I will do my duty, Merlin. Even if I care little for Camelot, I would never let you face that horde alone, the Great Dragon affirmed. He allowed his brother to climb onto his back. I'm still not a horse. Remember that.
Be nice. I like having the nice Princess on my back! Aithusa chided.
Thank you. Mithian patted the White Dragon's head. "Shall we?"
At that moment, they both heard Morgana declare, We're in position thanks to Nimue. Are you coming?
We're leaving now, Morgana. Patience. Merlin shrugged. "Freya, we're being called."
"So we are." Freya kept Mirth's smirk off of her face. She waved her hands enveloping the fighting force within the mists. Within a heartbeat, they had disappeared.
"Camelot awaits!" Merlin called. He rode Kilgarrah as the latter streaked out of the city and over the tree tops.
Behind them. Aithusa, Mithian and the exiled siblings pursued closely.
The cavalry zipped toward the next stage….