Author's Notes: I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed my story for taking my total over the forty mark. You do cheer me up a whole lot, especially when I'm having difficulty finding time to write.
In this chapter, we meet a few new characters who are my own creations. I hope you like them, though some of my original characters won't have Camelot's best interests at heart.
Once again, I don't own Merlin, but I do enjoy writing my version of what happened after Camlann.
Chapter Nine
The Gathering
On the morning of Arthur's great council, and much against his own wishes, he had spent longer resting in bed, which, after all, hadn't been too unpleasant. In fact, quite the opposite, since Guinevere had chosen to share his sojourn. However, Merlin and Gaius might not have been so happy, as rest wasn't the only thing they did, though he did nap afterwards.
He'd wakened alone, a little upset to find himself so, but he couldn't blame his wife, as she had duties to prepare for the visitors who had already begun to arrive in Camelot.
Merlin had turned up just as Arthur had decided to get out of bed and dress himself, because contrary to everyone's weird ideas, he did know how to dress himself. Merlin hadn't arrived alone, he was followed by a line of servants, carrying a large tub and jugs of hot water, linens and clean clothes.
Dismissing the servants, Arthur proceeded to show Merlin that he wasn't completely helpless, washing and drying himself, and even putting on his own trousers, though he did allow his friend to take a look at the wound in his chest.
"The outer wound is healing well, but I'm afraid you are going to have a scar, Arthur," Merlin said as he finished his examination.
"Can't you fix it with your magic?" Arthur asked, though, to tell the truth, he'd never been vain about his appearance.
"Sorry, but I don't use magic for beautification purposes. Besides, don't you warrior types count battle scars as some sort of badge of honour?"
"I suppose, but I was only thinking of Guinevere." Arthur sounded a little disappointed. He was actually enjoying exploring the extent of Merlin's magic and what he was prepared to use it for.
"Don't be silly. Guinevere would love you if you grew donkey ears."
"Merlin! Was that you? Don't forget, I could only neigh too!" Arthur jumped up from his seat on the end of the bed, thoroughly annoyed at the audacity of his onetime servant. There was only so much a king could forgive.
"Me?" Merlin looked aghast. "Would I do anything like that to you? On second thoughts, don't answer that, but in this case, I am entirely innocent. It was that pesky goblin, and that is old news," Merlin stated, holding up Arthur's shirt for him to shrug into. "And I was the one who finally captured it."
"So, I can't put you in the stocks for that transgression?"
Out of habit, Arthur slipped into the shirt, but as Merlin fished a belt and leather jacket from the pile of clothes, he took them from Merlin's hand, much to the warlock's amusement. When fully fit, Arthur had been inclined to allow Merlin to pander to him, but now he clearly felt he had something to prove, and Merlin was happy to let him be.
"What is your obsession with putting me in the stocks?" Merlin demanded, pretending to be hurt.
"Actually, if you recollect, it was my father who normally had you confined in the stocks, except for that first time, when you should have known better to insult a prince of Camelot. My actions were perfectly justified," he asserted, wrapping the belt around his waist and fastening the buckle.
"Justified because you were a royal ass!"
About to retort, Arthur suddenly thought better. "You're probably right, Merlin. I was a pampered prince, but I wasn't a totally stupid one. I always knew there was something fishy about you. I just didn't think it was magic..." He shook his head in amazement. "It's a wonder you kept that head on your shoulders during my father's reign."
"I did almost lose it once or twice," Merlin chuckled. "Though I always promised myself I'd use my magic to escape if the worst came to the worst, but that was before I got to know you and learned of my destiny."
Suddenly, Arthur grew serious. "Would you ever have left me?"
Merlin's blue eyes connected with Arthur's troubled glance. "No, and I never will. You're stuck with me for life." He wanted to add and beyond, but he still wasn't sure his friend was ready for the concept of immortality and resurrection. "Anyway we have more pressing problems to worry about now."
Happy with Merlin's answer, Arthur decided to face the current dilemma. "The council meeting this afternoon? I take it some of the nobles have arrived? Of course, the opening is purely ceremonial; tomorrow is when the hard work begins. Not all the councillors are going to be happy about our proposals, so it's up to us to convince them." He waved his hand between Merlin and himself, while he sat down to put on his boots, but that action wasn't as easy as he'd anticipated. Merlin hurried to assist him, but he held up his hand. "Merlin, I've told you I don't want you serving me hand and foot, and it's just a little painful to bend down, but I'll manage, and I'm sure it will get better in time, the pain I mean." He looked up at his friend, an expression both questioning and almost fearful on his face.
"I believe it will," Merlin assured him, as Arthur finally succeeded in donning his boots. "Gaius tells me that the body will manufacture a cushion around the shard all by itself. Nature is a wonderful thing, even without magic. Well, that's not quite true, because nature is magic," Merlin waffled, but brought himself up short. "I'm afraid we have no time for an intellectual conversation. The council isn't our only complication."
"What else is wrong?" Arthur asked, his interest immediately caught, and he pushed his arms, distractedly, into the sleeves of the jacket Merlin had retrieved and was holding up. "Have the Saxons rallied?"
"Only in small groups, or so Leon told me. They will fight if confronted, but, mainly, they are trying to escape." Merlin finished smoothing the coat across Arthur's shoulders. "It's something else. You know we sent out patrols to search for Morgana's body?"
"Yes." Arthur turned to face Merlin, his brow furrowing. "They've returned already?"
Merlin stepped back, crossing his hands across his chest. "No, but they have sent back a messenger. So far, they've found no trace of Morgana, dead or alive."
"Merlin, she was dead! We both saw her. You used Excalibur, a sword forged in a dragon's breath, and I heard her say that only a sword forged by a dragon could kill her," Arthur said, crossing to the table and pouring two goblets of watered wine. He took a drink from one and handed the other to Merlin. "Excalibur is such a sword, isn't it?"
Camelot's warlock flushed, while shifting from foot to foot. He'd been discovered. "I believe so, sire."
"And you would know this because Gaius told you that along with the tale about Bruta's sword?" Arthur pointed his cup at Merlin. "Be careful what you say, Merlin. I've accepted you had to lie to me in the past, but we have agreed there will be no more secrets nor lies."
"I'm guessing you wouldn't accept the fact that Bruta had a sword forged in a dragon's breath, since there were more dragons around at that time, and he was a great king?"
Pouting, Arthur shook his head.
"I didn't think so," Merlin said, flatly. "That sword was stuck in that stone, you know."
"But not by Bruta." Arthur sat down and stared at Merlin, his blue eyes piercing. "How did it get there?"
Merlin twisted his cup, nervously. "You know, it's a very long story, and I will tell you the truth, but there is much to be done for the opening this afternoon. These ceremonies can be tricky." He edged toward the door. "And we really should talk to Leon and the messenger..."
"Geoffrey of Monmouth will take care of most of it." Arthur placed his elbows on the table. "Merlin, you put it there, didn't you? With magic?"
There was a pause, while Merlin searched for some escape, some plausible reason, but, finally, he chose the truth. He was done with fabrication. "Yes."
"And I didn't pull it out alone. You used your magic to help?"
Merlin shrugged uncomfortably. "Arthur, you'd almost given up. You were depressed, unsure you were fit to be King. I had to think of something, and quickly. Camelot needed you! The city was suffering under Morgana and Helios."
Arthur rose slowly and crossed to the window, looking down on the bustling square. "Then my whole kingship is based on a lie."
"No, never! Excalibur was made for you. Kilgarrah forged it for you, and you alone, though he didn't mind me borrowing it occasionally."
That fact made Arthur turn. "You? Merlin you're hopeless with a sword. When did you use it?"
"It was the only weapon that could kill Morgause's immortal army. I used it to get to the Cup of Life and empty it of the blood it held. Then the soldiers just... disappeared."
"So that's what happened. We were fighting them in the dungeons, and losing, until they vanished. I assumed Lancelot had... but it was you. Even back then you were saving Camelot."
"We, Arthur! We were saving Camelot," Merlin said quietly. "And Kilgarrah was very insistent that after I used the sword, I had to put it where no mortal hand could wield it, only yours. You, the once and future king."
"Merlin, you keep saying that. What does it mean?"
Merlin shrugged again. "I'm not totally sure. It was one of Kilgarrah's favourite sayings. He talked in riddles a lot, you know. I think the Druids also call you that, so perhaps you should ask Iseldir."
There were a few minutes of silence while Arthur contemplated Merlin's explanation, then he too shrugged. "You know, Merlin, I'm pretty certain I haven't heard the whole story, but you are right; we do have more pressing problems and they need to be attended to now." Arthur passed Merlin on his way to the door, but just before he reached it, he stopped suddenly, causing the warlock to crash into his back. Arthur turned.
"But this is just a reprieve." Arthur poked Merlin's chest with his finger. "When Camelot is finally at peace, you and I are going to have a very long talk, and you are going to confess everything. Understand?"
"Yes, Sire," Merlin said, unsure if he should feel relieved or not. Whatever had happened to letting go of the past?
"And, Merlin, do stop calling me sire!" Arthur said. Opening the door, he swept into the passageway, while a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth. He was looking forward to some interesting conversations with his friend in the future, as Merlin sought to come up with creative excuses for his more questionable actions to save himself and Camelot.
Merlin followed quickly, deciding that feeling relieved might not be too wrong. After all, Arthur had just told him, again, not to call him sire.
Arthur's first order of business was to question the messenger from the search parties, and with that in mind, he made his way to the smaller council chamber, only to find it full of noblemen and their families. The only soldiers in sight were the guards who were positioned at the doors and around the walls.
The room was fairly heaving with Albion's great and good. Even his and Guinevere's thrones had been pushed back against the far wall to create more space. As he entered, the guards snapped to attention and every gaze turned in his direction.
Although diverted from his true goal, common courtesy demanded that The King mingle with his liege men, so he donned his regal pose and strode into the masses, most of them falling back to give him whatever room was available.
He moved among them, thanking them for their swift answer to his summons, and taking advantage of Merlin's presence to introduce him to some of the more approachable nobles. But it was clear, from the sombre looks being thrown at the young warlock, that not all present were ready to welcome a sorcerer into their company.
In the midst of the throng, Arthur saw Guinevere, every inch the gracious queen, talking with one of Camelot's most noble families, the Lord and Lady of Walton. Without a thought, he made his way to her side, Merlin still following closely in his wake.
"Greetings, Sire." The elderly man bowed and his wife bobbed a curtsey. "I was gladdened to learn that the stories of your death were untrue, My Lord. It was a joy to be summoned to Camelot to see for myself. I remember you as a small child playing in this very room with another boy, I believe his name was Kay. A man of my age shouldn't live to see young men die, and yet I hear we suffered many casualties." The man's voice faltered slightly on those words, and a tear gleamed in his pale eyes.
Arthur inclined his head, while his hand sought his wife's. If his memory served him well, this elderly couple had lost both their children to the sweating sickness many years ago, so he spoke kindly. "Sadly, you are correct about the number of our dead and wounded. It grieves Guinevere and me much, but our fallen will not be forgotten, that I promise." Arthur's blue eyes misted slightly, but his chin lifted in determination at his vow. "I welcome you to Camelot, Lord Cedric and Lady Amena. I too remember you as a friend of my father, and I'm sorry that your visits were infrequent."
"You must blame me for that, Sire," Lady Amena spoke up, her voice slow and frail. "I am in poor health, and my husband refuses to leave me at home."
"All the more reason to thank you for attending our council," Arthur replied. His eyes searched the lined face of Cedric. "I fear I will need the support of my friends in the coming debate."
"Debate, now there is a word I never thought to hear from a Pendragon!"
At Cedric's statement, Arthur's shoulders drooped, but the older man smiled. "Uther might have been my friend, but he was the most stubborn, pig-headed man I ever encountered. I can't remember how often I suggested he should listen before he acted, but your father was never one to heed advice. To tell the truth," and here Lord Cedric leaned closer and dropped his voice. "After your mother died, Amena's ill-health was often a timely excuse for staying away, though we did visit occasionally. I had hoped Uther might mellow, but he never did."
Like the sun passing from behind a cloud, Arthur's winning smile broke across his face. "In that case, my lord and lady, might I introduce you to my friend and physician, Adviser Merlin Emrys. If you truly give thanks for my continuing good health, then this is the man responsible."
"Greetings, Adviser Merlin Emrys," Cedric said, heartily. "Your reputation goes before you." At the shocked look on the face of Arthur's friend, who appeared little more than a boy to a man of Cedric's age, the nobleman confessed. "I have been speaking to Gaius, and he has nothing but praise for you."
"Merlin has all our praises," Guinevere said gently, patting her husband's hand, while smiling on Merlin, then she quickly turned her attention back to her guests. "But Lady Amena, you look tired, perhaps you would wish to rest before the evening meal."
"Thank you, My Lady, I would be most grateful. I'm afraid my old bones don't travel well these days," Lady Amena bobbed again and smiled at The Queen.
"Then let me lead you to your chamber," Guinevere suggested, her hand leaving her husband's, though she leaned close to whisper in his ear. "We are going to be hard pressed to house all these people. I directed George to clear the dining room and escort a number of others there. I didn't know Camelot had so many grandees."
"I'm not sure I did either," he replied, using her closeness to press a kiss on her cheek. "Do the best you can, and find Lord Geoffrey; he will, at least, know the order of importance of these nobles, some of whom I've never met before." His eyes were searching the room again, looking for familiar faces and, more importantly, that of a tired, hard-ridden messenger.
Lady Amena's gaze was also taking in the crowded room. "My dear, if you do not mind me be being too familiar, perhaps you could send for a servant to show us to a quiet place to rest..."
"Please, Lady Amena, it is no trouble," Guinevere replied. "To be honest, I wouldn't mind a quiet few moments myself. I never expected so many people to attend," she added, a somewhat drawn smile on her lovely face. "Come, let me show you."
"We would be honoured, Your Highness," Lord Cedric said, nodding his head to The King, once more, as he walked after The Queen and his wife.
"I didn't know you were friends of Gaius."
Arthur heard his queen say to the couple, taking advantage to leave the crowded chamber, close on their heels. He knew he had a good deal of canvassing to do before they got down to the important business of tomorrow, but in the meantime his priority was to talk to the courier who might have information about Morgana.
"Oh, indeed, Gaius has been good to us over the years," Amena continued, turning to include Arthur and Merlin in the conversation. "Some years ago, when the sweating fever epidemic swept through the land, myself and my children fell ill. Gaius tried very hard to save our children, but, alas, I was the only one to survive. Secretly, I asked him to use magic to heal them, but Cedric wouldn't hear of it..."
"I had sworn allegiance to Uther, you see, and I refused to break his laws." The older lord's stature seemed to shrink. "And not one day has passed that I didn't regret my choice. So you see, Arthur, when I heard the summons to this council to debate the return of magic, nothing on this earth could keep me or my wife away. If our opinion counts for anything, we support you, Sire, and I will do my best to persuade the doubters."
"And Queen Guinevere and I will have a word with the wives," Amena said with a conspiring look, which vied with her fragile form. "I'm sure we can gain you a few more votes; don't you think so, My Lady?"
With a wide grin, Guinevere agreed. "Oh, I'm sure you are quite formidable, Lady Amena. Between us, we'll have the married men agreeing in no time, and please, my name is Guinevere."
Amena bent her head in salute. "And I am Amena." She smiled as Gwen linked her arm through hers. "My dear, I never thought when I came to Camelot that I was going to have so much fun. Come along, Cedric," she called. "We have some planning to do and not a lot of time to do it." Then she turned her attention back to Arthur. "And I believe, Sire, if your discomfited manner is anything to go by, that you have something else important to do."
"I do, indeed, Lady Amena, so I will leave you in the capable hands of my wife, but I will check in later, to see how your plotting is going along."
"Good, and it's Amena, dear boy. Now do run along and attend to whatever is worrying you."
Arthur stopped, his mouth slightly agape. "Thank you, yes... Amena." He pointed, airily, over his shoulder. "I'll just go... then."
Behind, the gray-haired lady, Guinevere was struggling to stifle a giggle as she watched her royal husband reduced to the state of a stammering school boy. But she had no time to enjoy the moment as Lady Amena took her arm and led her away. Lord Cedric gave an apologetic shrug and walked off.
Watching, Arthur blew out his lips, while Merlin laughed and said, "Well, if Amena is allowed a vote at this Grand Council, I don't think we have any need to worry."
"Unfortunately, she isn't," Arthur declared with some disappointment. "But, at least, we can count on Cedric's vote."
"I'm sure we'll have more supporters, Arthur."
"Oh, I'm sure, probably persuaded by their wives!"
The two friends looked at each other and burst into laughter. It was good to lighten the mood for a few moments, but their anxiety over the mystery of a missing body couldn't be denied and they headed down the stairs to the armoury in search of the messenger.
"By the way, what was that about? Adviser Merlin Emrys?" the warlock inquired as they hurried along.
Arthur shrugged again. "Just Merlin seems somewhat inadequate... not that you are inadequate," Arthur quickly added. "I wanted your name to reflect your change of status, and since people of magic know you by Emrys, it seemed appropriate. Don't you like it? It does have a certain ring to it."
"Adviser Merlin Emrys?" Merlin rolled his new title around on his tongue. "Merlin Emrys. I suppose it does..."
"Of course, you'll always be 'just Merlin' to your friends..."
"Like you're 'just Arthur'?"
"Exactly!" For the space of a second, Arthur sounded pleased, then he realised Merlin was teasing. "Merlin!"
Merlin took to his heels down the next flight of stairs, his king hot on his trail, but they skidded to a halt when they spotted Percival rounding the corner, seemingly in search of his king.
"Sire, we have the courier," The large knight called, hurrying to Arthur and Merlin. "But since Camelot seems to be full to the hilt, we took the liberty of taking him to Sir Leon's chambers. Actually, for the moment, I've moved in with Leon to free up a room, but Alane is tired and hungry and anxious to pass on his news, such as it is. Leon and I thought you would like to talk in private."
"You did well, Percival," Arthur said, though there was an edge of trepidation in his voice as the three headed for the east wing where the knights were housed. "I take it the news isn't good?"
"Neither good nor bad, but you should hear it from Alane," Percival replied, leading the way.
They walked quickly, but in silence, each sunk in their own thoughts of what could have possibly happened to Morgana's body. When they reached Leon's chamber, Arthur knocked, but entered without waiting for an answer.
Inside, the young soldier was gnawing hungrily on a chicken leg, while swilling it down with water from a beaker. He looked up as the door opened, and seeing The King, he quickly dropped on one knee, swaying a little as he did so.
"Your Highness," he spluttered, almost choking on his food.
Without a thought, The King stretched out his hand and helped the young man back to his seat. "There is no need for ceremony when we are alone, Alane, but please tell me what you know."
Placing plate and cup on a small table, Alane cleared his throat. He was grateful for his monarch's benevolence, but was unused to dealing with royalty and found himself almost lost for words.
"Alane," Arthur prompted, trying to restrain his impatience. "We are waiting..."
"Yes, Sire. We... the patrol, that is, searched the area Sir Percival mapped out for us, but we didn't find a body..."
"Could she have been alive, Merlin?" An anxious Arthur cut in.
"Sire, there is more," the messenger added, gaining confidence in his eagerness to relate all of his news. "There was no body, but the dogs found a trace of blood on the ground where you said you left her."
"Are they sure it was human blood?" Arthur asked again. He had to know Morgana's fate, for his own sake and that of Camelot.
"The dog handlers were sure, Sire. These dogs are trained only to smell out humans... they said."
"So we know she was injured, if not dead," Merlin surmised, coming further into the room. "Though I swear I saw no signs of life before we left her."
"Did they manage to track the blood?" Again, Arthur questioned his soldier.
"It wasn't easy, My Lord, but the dogs did find more spots of blood."
Arthur sat down, heavily, on Leon's bed, his face turning pale. "Then she was still alive! Will Camelot ever be rid of her malevolence?" He dropped his head into his hands, unable to contemplate a further confrontation with his sister.
"Please, Sire, can I speak?" Young Alane ventured to approach The King, but Arthur was so lost in his own thoughts, he didn't hear.
Merlin stepped forward. "There is more to tell?"
"Yes, Lord." This was the king's manservant, but from what he'd heard on the castle gossip-mill, it turned out he was a powerful warlock too, so Alane felt it was best to be safe rather than sorry and use a title. "The master tracker doesn't believe Morgana walked away from that place."
Those words caught Arthur's attention and he sat up straighter. "Does he have any idea what happened?"
"He says he has a... theory," the young man hesitated over the last word, not being schooled in anything other than soldiering. "Though he cannot know for sure."
"Then tell us of his theory," Arthur said, his voice now calm and even. It was clear to him that Alane had little experience talking with royalty, but The King knew well how to deal with callow recruits. "But take another drink before you start. You must be parched after your long ride."
"Thank you, Sire." And Alane did as he was told, snatching at the cup Percival offered him and downing a long draught.
"There is nothing for you to worry about," Arthur continued. "You're doing your job well. Just stay calm and tell us everything that happened during the search."
Finding his king not to be as intimidating as he'd supposed, the soldier drew himself up and began recounting the facts exactly as he'd been told. "We reached the spot Sir Percival had mentioned, and it was true, there was no body, and very few signs that anyone had ever been there, but Becan is a master at his trade. He and his dogs refused to give up, and they did find blood. The dogs went mad and were on it right away. They soon found more, too, but what was strange is that they found no footprints, apart from your own, Sire, and Lord Merlin's which were headed down toward the lake of Avalon, just as we'd been told."
"Then Morgana vanished by magic?" Leon asked, addressing the group, but looking at Merlin.
"It's possible. We know she's transported from Camelot before, but that was when she was alive." Merlin answered slowly, giving the matter some thought. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Leon, but I am not an expert on all things magical, particularly when it pertains to a High Priestess, and whatever else Morgana was, she was certainly that. I'd have to confer with Gaius and read some of his books before I could verify that High Priestesses vanish on death."
Standing and beginning to pace the small room, Arthur did his best thinking on his feet, he said. "No, that doesn't make sense. If she was going to vanish, wouldn't she have done so like Morgause's enchanted soldiers?"
"True, Arthur." Now it was Merlin's turn to pace. "Those soldier's disappeared the moment they were struck with Excalibur."
"Now I know I wasn't fully conscious at the time, but her body was lying there when we left?" He looked to Merlin for confirmation.
"It was! And I'd be prepared to swear she was dead," Merlin asserted. There had been no doubt in his mind that he'd killed Morgana. Not then and not now.
Both men stopped in front of the other, sharing views as they so often did, but it was the first time Leon and Percival had witnessed such an intense exchange, and they wouldn't have been surprised to see sparks fly.
"And, according to Alane, she left behind some blood. If she had vanished into the ether, wouldn't the blood disappear too?" Arthur mused, staring directly at Merlin. "Isn't it more likely someone retrieved her body, then covered their tracks?"
"Yes, Sire! That's exactly what Master Becan said." Alane blurted out in excitement, happy that King Arthur and Lord Merlin agreed.
All eyes swung to the young soldier. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Alane said, flushing red in embarrassment.
"No, no! Please do interrupt," Arthur smiled, encouragingly, at Alane. "It's clear you have more to tell, and it is we who interrupted your report."
Alane couldn't believe his luck. He'd heard it said, from guards who had met The King, that King Arthur treated all his men well, but he'd never dreamed he'd be standing in a room, reporting to The King directly, and all because Sir Huiel had judged him the fastest horseman. Alane determined to do his job to the best of his ability.
"Sire, I will tell you all that I know. Becan thought someone had carried Lady Morgana off, so he widened the search, and it was then he found even more blood. He let the dogs follow the trail and we came upon footprints. Just one set. Sir Huiel believed the unknown person had judged himself far enough away from the original spot that he could cease to mask his tracks."
"Or perhaps was tiring and growing careless," Arthur said, placing himself in his enemy's shoes. "Did the search parties discover where the trail led?"
"They were leading to the Lake of Avalon, but by a different route to the one you took, Sire. Sir Huiel is continuing with the search, but he sent me back to tell you what we had discovered, and that he will keep you informed."
"Alane, thank you for your report. Finish your meal and rest up. When this council is concluded, present yourself to me and you will have your reward." Arthur touched Merlin's shoulder. "Come, we have a lot to do and the hour of the opening ceremony approaches. Sir Leon, take care of Alane, then you and Percival join me in the great hall. Judging from the amount of people who have chosen to attend this council, it promises to be a momentous occasion."
"Let us hope things go our way," Merlin added, somewhat wistfully.
"We live in hope, Merlin!" Arthur said, marching from the room.
As I'm going away on another trip, and I'm not sure how reliable my Internet connection might be, next week's chapter might be a couple of days late, but I will post as soon as I am able.
I look forward to hearing how you liked this chapter.