Author's notes: Firstly, I must apologise for not holding to my word and this is at least a day late. I just didn't have time to post it on the last day of the year, so I'm hoping you look upon this as a New Year's gift.
I do believe that this story is nearing its end, though there will be a few chapters yet.
I thank those of you who have followed this story and have left reviews and those who have chosen to favourite/follow it. I know it has been quite a long story, so I thank you for your patience when I haven't been able to stick to my posting schedule, and I need to apologise in advance because I will not be posting this Friday. I just haven't had time to write. Real life does get in the way now and then. I will try very hard to get back on schedule.
I hope you find time to read this chapter during the New Year holiday and to leave a review, if you feel inclined. Reviews make my day!
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The Day of Reckoning
A grey-clouded sky overhung the citadel, yet the air was eerily still, almost as if the earth held its breath on this momentous day of reckoning.
Neither Merlin nor Arthur had slept well during the night, their minds too focused on the coming vote. However Guinevere, who for months had suffered the torments of haunted dreams, slumbered peacefully on, and Arthur was happy to let her, Gaius already having warned him that she needed plenty of rest in her pregnant condition.
He washed and dressed quickly and quietly, not waiting for George to arrive and proving he was now capable of looking after his own ablutions. He always had been, but tradition and his position as Crown Prince and then King had encouraged his indolence with mundane tasks. His brush with death had completely changed his outlook and his habits of a life time.
There would always be certain protocols to be observed, but in his private life he now had little time for royal prerogatives.
On the other hand, he didn't turn aside the breakfast that George brought, but while instructing him to quietness, he gestured the servant to place the tray on the table. He pulled the curtains around the bed, giving Guinevere a modicum of privacy, before whispering to his servant.
"George, could you please check to see if Merlin is awake, and if he is, ask him to join me for breakfast. But don't wake him. He's under a lot of stress at present," Arthur added, noticing George too was looking a trifle harassed. With an uncharacteristic insight, Arthur spoke. "As are you. This has been an extremely busy time for you, and I thank you for your conscientiousness. You've looked after the running of the citadel amazingly well. Once The Grand Council is over, you must take some time off. Perhaps you can visit your family."
Arthur suddenly realised he knew very little about George, whether he had a family or not. He was fairly sure that Guinevere would know, but he really should have made it his business to discover the background of someone who was so instrumental to the smooth running of the domestic side of his citadel.
"Thank you, Sire. I do have an elderly mother who lives in the lower town and I haven't had much chance to check on her in these past few days," George replied, unbending a little, yet only for a moment. "But my duty to you and Camelot is my first priority."
"Not so, George. Life is fleeting... and uncertain, so we should take care of the people who love us while we can. You must visit your mother and see to her comfort as soon as possible. Everyone will be concentrating on the vote this afternoon, so I'm sure the citadel can spare you for a few hours."
"If you insist, Your Highness." George snapped his heels together and bobbed his head. "My mother will be happy to see me."
"Good! Oh, and George, after you speak to Lord Merlin, could you find Mary Howden and ask her to visit The Queen this morning."
The servant backed out of the room and shortly afterwards Merlin stuck his head around the door. "Did you want me for anything in particular, Arthur?"
Arthur's eyebrows rose. "No, not really. I just wanted to make sure you ate something this morning. Do you have somewhere special to be?"
"No! But I thought I might try using the Crystal of Neahtid."
"You're brave! I'm not sure I want to know the result of the ballot beforehand," Arthur admitted with an anxious laugh, sitting down and starting to pick at his food.
"And I'm not sure the crystal will tell us. It tends to have a mind of its own." Merlin too sat down at the table and helped himself to some bread and cheese. "When I've used it in the past, it hasn't exactly predicted anything good... or straightforward. It's more just random scenes."
"Yet the crystals in the cave warned you my army was about to be outflanked at Camlann. That was how you were able to warn me?" Arthur reflected, light beginning to dawn in his brain. He was learning a whole new perspective on his friend's former actions. "I'd say that was a very good outcome."
"The crystals came up trumps that time! The trouble is they show the bad as well as the good. In fact, they might show nothing of the voting. They could concentrate on Mark's army... or something else completely which we have no idea is going to happen..."
The King's voice dropped to a whisper. "Like will Guinevere survive the birth of our child?"
"Whoa! Where did that come from?"
"Merlin, I've tried to put the terrible thought from my mind... I really have, but it keeps creeping back in," Arthur said, his voice desperate while his eyes looked lost and lonely.
"Arthur, that's too far in the future to foretell. The crystal here, or those in the cave only show what's about to happen." Merlin too spoke quietly, yet a note of calm resonated within his voice. "You're worrying unnecessarily. Gwen is healthy and strong, and she has Gaius and myself to look after her. She and the baby will be fine."
Arthur's teeth gnawed at his bottom lip, his head shaking from side-to-side. "I am happy, Merlin. About the baby I mean. Ecstatic even... yet I can't help but be anxious. My own mother died in childbirth..."
"Because of dark magic..."
"But even without magic involved there can be complications and women can die!"
"Yes!" Merlin stretched out his hand and laid it on The King's shoulder. "Women die all the time... and not just in childbirth. But a lot of women survive having children quite happily too... more than once."
"I'm not sure I could go through this stress more than once..."
"I believe being stressed is a husband's lot in all this, but think of poor Gwen; she's the one who has to carry the child," Merlin muttered with a sigh.
"I'm well aware of that, Merlin. Don't you think I would take that burden from her if I could? I just don't want to lose her, which is why I won't risk another pregnancy."
"You might not have a choice, unless you're thinking of adopting celibacy." Merlin received a challenging look from his sovereign at this suggestion. "And don't you think Gwen might think differently?"
There was a stirring from behind the bed curtains and Guinevere called out. "Did I hear my name mentioned... and what might I think differently about?"
Arthur and Merlin looked towards the bed like two hunted deer.
"Merlin, she can't know how worried I am!"
"Don't worry! I have no intention of telling her. I'm not that brave! But maybe you should speak to her."
Guinevere stepped from the confines of the closed curtains, her shawl clutched untidily around her body, her skin looking decidedly green.
"Guinevere, are you feeling ill?" Arthur asked, rising and walking quickly to his wife's side.
"Why do you ask?" she replied irritably, nevertheless she leant into the shelter of his open arms.
"Because you look... sick," Arthur answered, his face a picture of shock and solicitude.
"That's because I'm about..."
However Gwen got no further as she threw up the contents of her stomach into a floating bowl.
"Where did that come from?" Arthur demanded, though his question was answered as he turned to Merlin. The warlock's eyes glowed golden and a large grin was plastered across his face, as fruit tumbled on the table and dropped to the floor. "Thank you for that," Arthur said, plucking the empty fruit bowl from the air and holding it in front of Gwen.
For some moments, the only sound in the room was poor Guinevere's retching, though that too died away and Arthur helped his wan-faced wife to sit at the table. "Perhaps you should eat something," the concerned husband suggested, receiving a disgusted stare from Gwen for his trouble.
Merlin poured a cup of water, pushing it into Gwen's hands. She sipped carefully at the offering. "Thank you, Merlin."
Arthur objected, pouting. "I only thought you should..."
"Arthur, be quiet!" Gwen interrupted quickly, though not unkindly. After taking another drink, she laid her hand on his arm. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll grow accustomed to all this. I will eat when I feel able. Now what is it I might feel differently about?"
Both men stared at each other again.
"Ah, that! Well..." Merlin began slowly.
"Merlin, please don't! I promise I will talk to her about my fears... but in my own time."
"Well... Arthur and I were wondering if having a celebration... if the vote goes in our favour... was such a good idea due to the fact that Mark and his army are heading in our direction."
Gwen's glance strayed between Merlin and her husband, suspiciously, before voicing her opinion. "I think you should. After all, the people don't know about King Mark's invasion force. I know you're planning on slipping out of the city to join your knights, so wouldn't a large public party be the perfect cover?"
"As always, Guinevere, you're right. Merlin and I can sneak off during the celebrations, but are you sure you're up to a party, especially since you'll be in charge after we leave? I don't want you making yourself ill."
"Arthur!" Gwen's voice rose in exasperation. "I've told you before... I'm having a baby, I am not sick."
"You actually look quite a bit sick... sweetheart," he added the endearment, hoping to forestall an argument.
"That's morning sickness. Every woman has that in the early months. You're just going to have to get used to that, and not imagine I'm dying at every turn."
Arthur's jaw dropped and his face paled at Gwen's words. Had his wife also turned mind reader?
"You're letting your imagination run away with you... aren't you?" she said, a glint of realisation in her eyes. Her voice softened as she reached out to touch his cheek. "Arthur, I know your mother died because of your birth, but that was in entirely different circumstances. I'm well, and I've every confidence in Gaius and Merlin and you must put your fears behind you. I've no intention of leaving you."
"I'm sure my mother thought that too." Arthur's shoulders drooped and he couldn't look at his wife. Although normally he was blessed with a resourceful nature, there were times when despair overtook him.
"I agree," Gwen said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Arthur, please look at me." When his gaze rose to her face, she continued, her voice soft, yet gathering in conviction. "These last few weeks have taught me that our future is never guaranteed, but we have to face whatever is before us with courage and love." She stared into his eyes, so clear and so true. "Oh, my dear, do you think I don't fear that soon you will leave me again... never to return. Yet if we allow our terrors to overwhelm us, we'll never take pleasure in the time we have now."
A smile settled gently on Arthur's lips and his eyes shone with love. "I don't know what good I did to deserve you, Guinevere, but the gods surely blessed me when they sent you to my side." He bent and kissed her lips.
In the background, Merlin too smiled. He was happy for his best friend and the brother of his soul, yet he couldn't repress a little envy. He had loved Freya with a youthful passion, but they hadn't been given the blessing of time for that love to blossom. Would he ever find another love, or was he doomed to walk this world alone? Seeing Gwen and Arthur so happy before him... Merlin prayed for the impossible.
Suddenly, The King and Queen remembered they weren't on their own and both turned to Merlin, but it was Arthur who spoke. "Merlin, please don't use the crystal. Let's just take our chances with whatever happens."
"If you'd rather. We only have to wait till the end of the day for the result of the ballot," Merlin said, studying the dishes on the table and sampling a few delicacies. He truly was quite hungry... and composed, the certainty that all would be well beginning to envelope him like a comforting blanket.
Even Gwen's pallor was beginning to fade and she stretched out and plucked a grape from Arthur's plate, smiling as he frowned in mock displeasure. "Hey, get your own plate!" he instructed, filling a platter with a small amount of Gwen's favourite foods, but knowing instinctively not to over-burden her. "This is nice," he added, sitting back in his chair, as if Merlin's feeling of well-being was catching. "We three having breakfast together."
"Oh, do I count now?" Merlin asked cheekily, having spent a great many of his years in Camelot as almost a non-person.
"Don't be ridiculous, Merlin. You always did... though I wouldn't admit it."
"There should be four of us," Gwen said with a thoughtful smile on her face. "Isn't there anyone you hold special, Merlin?"
"Only you, my lady," Merlin answered with a mock bow to hide his sorrow and jealousy.
"Careful, Merlin. Guinevere is already spoken for!"
"Poppycock! I'm like a sister to you, Merlin." The light-hearted banter was settling Gwen's stomach and she found herself able to eat a little. "I meant, don't you have a girl who you like in a different manner?"
"Once there was someone... a long time ago, but she died," Merlin replied morosely, his usual good humour deserting him momentarily.
"In Camelot?" The Queen asked again, trying to review all the women she'd seen Merlin with since he arrived in the city.
"Sort of. She wasn't from Camelot but I did meet her here. It was when I first arrived and I never think about her now. Well, hardly ever," Merlin stated, before quickly changing the subject. "It's no longer important and we've many other concerns to worry over now."
Arthur, however, was not to be distracted. "I always thought you were sweet on Sefa!"
The warlock's pale complexion turned slightly pink, as once again he tried to direct the talk away from his love life... his non-existent love life. "She was a sweet girl..."
"Who committed treason."
"Arthur!" Gwen returned with some force and a certain amount of wistfulness. "She only did so out of love for her father. I swear she didn't have an evil thought in her head. I often wondered what happened to her. In fact, I'd like to ask her to be my maid again. We worked well together until Ruadan interfered. Would you mind having her back in Camelot, Arthur?"
A tiny smirk curled up The King's lip, but he hurriedly repressed it. His wife was a very clever woman who could be very devious on occasion. Yet her ideas marched with his on this subject. Merlin was lonely. "Not at all! I doubt she'd pose any threat now, especially if the vote comes out the way we want it too, and there's no denying you need a personal handmaiden, Guinevere."
Merlin's cheeks grew distinctly redder, as his glance flitted from one royal to the other. "Are you two matchmaking?"
Guinevere had the grace to look slightly abashed, however her husband was unrepentant.
"Come on, Merlin," Arthur said, punching his friend's arm lightly. "Wouldn't you like to see Sefa again?"
Merlin frowned, rubbing his arm, wishing Arthur would learn a different way of showing he cared... even a slight pummel from Arthur could hurt. "Be careful, dollop-head. You don't know your own strength!"
"Sorry!" Arthur pulled a face that hinted at contrition. "It was only a tap."
"A tap? Hmph!" Merlin huffed before conceding, "I might like to meet Sefa again. But are you forgetting that Camelot was responsible for her father's death? This is probably the last place she wants to be."
"I'm not so sure about that, Merlin," Gwen said thoughtfully. "She was sorry she betrayed us. I believe she was happy here."
"And I didn't ask Raudan to side with Morgana. He was a Druid," Arthur stated, matter-of -factly. "I'd already made my peace with them long since. When Elyan was possessed by the spirit of the Druid boy, I took an oath they would live in peace from that day forward. You know I only broke that promise if any of them took up arms against us." The King pushed back from the table and began to pace. "For the gods' sake, I offered Kara a pardon if she'd renounce her vendetta against Camelot... and she'd been responsible for killing a number of our people. Why didn't she take it?" he asked, his voice tight with suppressed anger and confusion. "None of this would have happened if she'd only agreed. Mordred wouldn't have hated me; Morgana would never have discovered you were Emrys. Perhaps she would never have been strong enough to fight at Camlann!"
"Arthur, please, don't do this to yourself again!" Gwen rose quickly to stand in front of him, placing her hands against his chest. "We were only discussing Sefa..."
"Fate works in mysterious ways, Arthur," Merlin said. "Perhaps we wouldn't be here today if those things hadn't come to pass. Besides, haven't we decided to put the past behind us? Today could be the dawning of a new age and we should concentrate of that."
Arthur subsided noticeably, almost collapsing into Guinevere's embrace and burying his face into her plaited hair for a long moment while his wife and friend waited, somewhat concerned. Since coming back from the dead, The King's mood could be somewhat volatile. Yet they needn't have worried.
"You're right. Both of you," Arthur agreed, lifting his head and smiling reassuringly at Gwen. "Sorry! I don't know why I lost it there."
"Perhaps because you're worried about the result of the vote... or King Mark's incursion?" Gwen smoothed her husband's tousled hair. "You're beset with troubles, my dear, but you're not alone. Merlin and I are here to share your burdens."
Behind them, Merlin rose from the table. "You never were alone, Arthur... but I think we should deal with one problem at a time. If it makes you happy, once magic is returned to the realm and we've seen off King Mark, we can look for Sefa..."
"You make it all sound so easy, Merlin." Arthur said somewhat sceptically, yet he did manage a rueful smile. "As for Sefa, only if you want her found. Gwen and I want you to be happy! And I'm sorry for my outburst."
"What outburst?" Merlin asked cheekily, his grin wide, and was pleased to see Arthur return his smile. "You know, if you're ready, we should make our way to the great hall. The summing up should be beginning soon and I'm sure our presence is expected."
"We should. But if I've to listen to many more of Avebury's salacious lies, I might just throw him in the dungeons!"
"Arthur, you can't," Guinevere said with some alarm. "He's only championing his side of the argument for the moment. No one but us knows he's in league with Mark of Cornwall. Arresting him isn't an option... yet."
"I know, Guinevere. I was just wishful thinking for a moment there." He pulled his wife into his side for a gentle hug. "I promise I'll resist my impulses. Are you joining us? If you feel unwell, you don't have to be there."
"It's as much my duty as yours to oversee the closing of the debate. I'll wait for Mary to help me get ready and come to the hall later."
"Good. But take your time, Guinevere. I'm sure there will still be a lot of boring speeches to listen to this morning." The King lifted her hand and pressed a kiss thereon before striding towards the door. "Come on, Merlin. At least in a few hours we'll know if magic has a future in Camelot!"
If Arthur had expected boring speeches during the summing up stage of the debate, he was sadly disappointed. In fact, listening to Avebury's sarcastic, verging on scandalous summation he would have settled for boring.
The man had stayed silent in the final arguments, allowing others to raise new or repeat their objections to sorcery and only taking centre stage when asked to make the closing speech for the Anti-magic party.
Lord Brennan Avebury's demeanour seemed to assume a regal pose as he made his way to the dais, throwing a threatening look at both Merlin and The King. He turned slowly and surveyed the crowded hall. If the previous day's audience had diminished, it appeared all of Camelot's enfranchised population had returned for the final stages of the debate.
For a long moment, Avebury held himself perfectly still and quiet, till a faint awkward shuffling pervaded the hall. Only then did he smile...
"Your Highness," he said, glancing almost casually over his shoulder at the throne while withholding the customary salute. "Noble Lords, Knights of Camelot... and commoners." The last was added like a distasteful afterthought. "I come before you today to uphold the status quo; the law as laid down by the late, great king of Camelot... Uther Pendragon. I will not reiterate the numerous grounds which led King Uther to pass such decrees. Many of you have repeated those very reasons in the course of this debate, reasons which prove beyond doubt the need for sorcery to be outlawed for the good of all."
He hesitated as the side door swung open to admit The Queen and her ladies. Although irritated by the interruption, Lord Brennan was, nevertheless, forced to bow his head to Guinevere. In the background, Arthur and Merlin exchanged a tiny smile. Guinevere could not have chosen a more appropriate moment for her entrance.
"Your Highness," Avebury ground out, having to wait till The Queen acknowledged him before sitting on her throne, an action which seemed to take an inordinate amount of time. Finally, when Guinevere was settled and her ladies grouped at the edge of the stage, Arthur spoke quickly.
"You may continue, Lord Avebury!" The King bowed his head slightly, a gesture both royal and condescending. Two could play Avebury's game.
"Thank you, Sire." Avebury's throat burned with a barely disguised loathing, as he was forced to acknowledge Arthur's kingship. He swallowed down his bile and returned to the task. "If I speak of your father, Arthur, it is only out of respect for his judgement."
"Yet you spent most of his reign away from Camelot!" Arthur couldn't resist the riposte, his knuckles clenched white on the arms of his throne, but he too buried his ire. This was not the time to alert Avebury to their suspicions.
"A circumstance which I regret," Lord Brennan stated in mock contrition. "However, I am home now, and if I am arguing against your proposal, Sire, it is not out of ridicule. It is merely that I believe wholeheartedly that you are wrong... and I advise you to uphold your father's laws. Sorcery should not be returned to Camelot." He turned again to the audience, raising his voice that all might hear. "Your Sovereign Lord is a good King and a great warrior, but perhaps he has not the wisdom nor the prudence of his father. He allows his heart to rule his head. Though that might be a good thing in ordinary mortals, it is not a luxury a sovereign can afford if he is to rule his people."
Allowing some moments for his words to sink in, Avebury surveyed the throng. Many of the faces stared back at him with open hostility while a menacing muttering rolled through the hall. Clearly Arthur was a well-loved King and he attacked him at his peril. The nobleman realised his mistake and back-pedalled somewhat.
"But I should not chastise King Arthur for doing what he believes is right... I simply wonder if his motives are sound. He makes no secret of his friendship with a known sorcerer. We must ask ourselves if this debate would even be taking place were it not for that close relationship."
"Lord Avebury!" Geoffrey of Monmouth's uncharacteristically harsh voice carried across the heads of the people. "You forget yourself! The topic of this debate is whether magic should be legalised or not. It is not an evaluation of our lord Arthur's Kingship. Should you have anything new to say then please speak on... or close your summation."
Again Avebury gave a curt nod of the head. Damn the meddling old man! He was sure he was beginning to sway the members of the crowd who had yet to make up their minds. Now his hands were tied, but he wasn't totally dismayed. He hadn't come to Camelot to ruin the ballot. There was a greater purpose waiting in the near future, yet causing dissension had seemed an added bonus. At least he'd been able to keep The King and his knights off track. Arthur had no inkling of the trials that would be unleashed upon him in the next few days.
"I stand corrected... and I have nothing left to say, but I would ask the citizens of this great land to consider the question carefully and return a resounding no to the suggestion of magic being given a free rein in this safe haven which King Uther created."
The clapping which welcomed the end of Lord Avebury's speech was unenthusiastic, to say the least and without further ado, Geoffrey of Monmouth introduced the next speaker.
"Lord Cedric Walton to speak on behalf of the Pro-magic campaign!"
A rumble of comments spread throughout the hall, most of the crowd expecting either King Arthur or Lord Merlin to address the company on behalf of magic. However, the people settled quickly as Lord Walton cleared his throat.
"First of all, I would like to thank you all for attending this first Grand Council in over thirty years. I and the royal party thank you for your participation, and may I ensure everyone, on behalf of The King, that there will be no reprisals whatever the result of the ballot. Each one of you is free to vote as you see fit."
Lord Walton paused for effect before beginning his final speech, casting a quick bow to the royal party behind him.
"My Lord King, Queen Guinevere, Lords, Ladies, Knights and citizens of Camelot, I do not intend to harangue you but will keep my summing up brief. We have heard many reasons why magic should remain outlawed, but given the happenings of the last week or so, I think we have proved that magic is not evil and can and should be used for the good of all. Furthermore, we will not be throwing the gates of the kingdom open to all magic; those who wield magic to harm will still be brought to justice. We believe that people like Lord Emrys and his supporters can guard against malevolent sorcerers as much as anyone of us can protect good people from bad. Therefore, I ask you to let magic return to the realm of Albion and place our faith in King Arthur, his warlock and his knights. Thank you for your patience."
Again there was another bout of clapping, this one somewhat louder than before and, with a final bow, Lord Cedric stepped back to his place beside the thrones, handing over the rostrum to Sir Geoffrey once more.
The King and his close friends had discussed who would announce the opening of the vote, and indeed had argued what method would be best. A show of hands had been ruled out, since there might be some unscrupulous voters who would raise their hands twice. Then too, they couldn't use the written word, as many of the commoners, and indeed some of the lesser lords and knights couldn't read nor write.
After much discussion it was decided that those registered to vote would be requested to file up in the quadrangle. As they passed up the stairs and into the grand hall, their names would be struck off the list by trusted assessors; they would be given a token which they would then deposit in two noticeably stamped barrels, one blue for the yes vote and one yellow for the no. It was thought that, since the numbers were great, there might be a need for more vats, but they could be changed if needed, and the filled ones would be sealed and locked. When the voting was finished, they would all be counted. The whole process would be supervised by The King's men, but also scrutineers from each side of the debate.
Geoffrey of Monmouth explained the process of voting and counting to those gathered in the hall and outside before introducing his king.
Arthur stood to address his people and immediate silence descended, awaiting his words.
"Many years ago, a wise man told me of the rich variety of people contained within this kingdom and how they tried to protect me and Camelot. I didn't understand then. I had to learn the hard way, but now I am aware, I will judge no man... nor woman by who he or she is. From this day forth, people will be judged only on their actions and that I hereby vow, no matter which way the ballot falls." He heard Avebury draw in his breath in dissent, but he paid him no heed. Instead he continued quickly, forestalling any interruption. "The voting opens one hour after noon. It will take time, so I ask for your patience. If any of you are still unclear on what to do, my councillors and knights will be happy to assist you, but please, this is your vote. Do not be swayed by others; act only out of the conviction of your hearts. Anyone caught trying to persuade others to change their mind will be cast into the cells for the duration of the vote."
Looking around the hall, The King saw his people hanging on his every word. A warm smile dawned on his face. He did so love Camelot and all who dwelt therein. "Before you leave to do your duty, may I tell each and every one of you how proud I am to be your leader." A lump formed in his throat and his eyes glistened wetly. "You have all my faith and trust. For the love of Camelot, I thank you."
A chorus of raised voices came back to him like an echo magnified ten hundred fold. "For the love of Camelot!" As the words faded they were followed by cheering and clapping while the royal party made their way from the hall.
I hope you feel this part was worth the wait! I know many of you might be out enjoying yourselves but if you do have the time, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
And may I wish you all... if you have gotten this far, a very Happy New Year and good luck for the year ahead.