Chapter 9 [Rodor's Chamber]
Even as he waited for the possessions to arrive, Rodor walked about the chamber. His eye inspected every detail, nook and cranny. He passed a careful finger over the gleaming oaken wardrobe's side. Picking up not a speck of dust, he nodded. He considered the mirror. "It is a splendid chamber."
"It is indeed, Father. I trust it meets with your approval?" Mithian replied evenly.
"Indeed it does. I do believe we could read in here after nightfall with not a torch lit. Merlin prepared for us well." Seeing her blush, he smiled. "I'd expected perhaps half of this quality. Merlin outdoes himself. Why was he so nervous?"
"He wanted to make a good first impression on you, Father," she explained. "He so wants your acceptance." Even as she said that, she could feel Merlin's nerves flaring through the Link. It will be all right, Merlin. He likes the room.
He does? That's good. Thanks, Merlin expressed. We'll be right there. Had something come up.
Something? I…. At that point, Mithian heard a knock at the door. "Now who?"
"Britomart would have brought everything in," Rodor presumed. "Daughter, can you open it?"
"Aye." She walked over to the chamber door. Slowly she opened it to find the crowned Amazon from the courtyard waiting there. "Greetings. I am Princess Mithian of Nemeth. You are the Amazon Queen?"
"I am. It is an honor to meet a sister who is skilled with both leadership and the bow. Your reputation precedes you, Princess Mithian. I am Elena, Queen of the Amazons. Might I come in? I wish to report a good turn done by one loyal to you," Elena declared.
Mithian looked back to her father. "Father?"
"Please allow our fellow ruler in. I would meet with her." He inspected his appearance making sure that all was in order. Then he watched Elena enter the chamber. He saw Caution guiding the visitor's steps and actions as much as it did his and Mithian's. "I am King Rodor of Nemeth. We have heard a great deal about the Amazons. Welcome and thank you for your kind regards. Might we offer you some fruit or wine?"
"Thank you but no, King Rodor. I appreciate it," Elena declined. "I can explain why your possessions have not reached here. I ask that you pardon Arthur's servant, Merlin. He stopped to help us."
"Indeed? How so?" Rodor asked. His eyes met Mithian's. "Is he all right? Was there any mayhem or mischief?"
"The boy King Arthur put with us rushed off and never returned. We did not know where to stable our horses. Merlin offered his assistance. He insured proper shelter for them. I wanted to acknowledge the kindness, King Rodor," Elena reported.
"From what Princess Mithian has told me, such acts come to Merlin quite naturally. He puts others often before himself. This is but another such example of that quality. I am sorry that he is not here. I would pass along your regards. He and our maid, Britomart, bring our possessions here as we speak," Rodor indicated. "Perhaps we can tell him?"
"Merlin would say that it's his pleasure," Mithian assured their visitor. Pride however swelled in her chest. "It's his way to make friends and see to their needs."
"Arthur of Camelot should make him a diplomat. King Percival of Mercia mentioned Merlin during our negotiations two moons ago. Cedric's defeat turned Mercian forces from our border." Elena nodded. "We owe you our thanks as well, King Rodor and Princess Mithian."
"As you said, it was our pleasure," Rodor assured. "Our forces sought to support Camelot. If we can do greater good in the process, then it is a good thing indeed."
"At least some good came from that battle. We intended to be in Ealdor and then return over the border without being noticed. Unfortunately we were seen. Cedric tried to take advantage of us as he did you. We were fortunate. A dragon lord wandered out of the woods and called two such creatures down on the Mercians' heads. He saved me from capture. I wish I could thank him. Sadly he disappeared before I could," Mithian explained half-truthfully.
Elena took in the account. "I had heard King Uther of Camelot had slaughtered the dragon lords during his ill-guided crusade against magic and the old religion. I would much like to meet that one to offer him my thanks and a safe haven."
He nodded. "I am sure he will appear again when our need is greatest. Wouldn't you say, Mithian?"
"Fate works in such ways, Father," Mithian concurred somehow managing to not snort or betray Merlin's secret in the process.
At that moment, the door opened allowing Britomart to step into the room. "Oh! Pardon me, Your Highness! I did not realize…."
"Please, Britomart, come in. Is Merlin with you?" Rodor relented. With a wave of his hand, he beckoned them inside.
"He is. So are some of the Amazons." Britomart curtseyed before the three royals. "Thank you, Queen Elena, for their assistance. We hated to trouble them."
"As your King indicated, it is our way as well to help our friends. Sisters, bring their possessions inside. Then you may return to our chambers," Elena informed them.
Merlin lugged the trunk in with Matilda's help. The remaining Amazons carried the remaining items into the chamber. With Britomart's oversight, they placed the items in the proper places. Then the Amazons departed.
"Queen Elena, thank you for the help," Merlin expressed while adding a bow.
"Thank you, Merlin. Not all men would be so willing to aid us. I appreciate that. I await your service along with the others at the feast tonight. King Rodor and Princess Mithian, it was good to meet you. Perhaps we might make a treaty at some point?"
"Nemeth would welcome that. We should speak further," Rodor agreed. "Until tonight then?"
"Until tonight." Elena concluded. With that she departed from the chamber.
"I wish I knew what happened with Reginald. Sorry to keep you waiting. I…." Merlin apologized. He bowed to the man who (other than Arthur himself) held so much of his hopes and dreams in his hands.
"Merlin, it is quite all right. While I do intend to alert King Arthur to this Reginald's abandonment of duty, you honored Camelot, the Amazons and us through your actions. A short delay is quite excusable when it is for a diplomatic gesture such as that one. I expect those in my service to show respect toward everyone. You certainly did so and I intend to tell your King as much," Rodor assured him. "Please rise. Close the door."
Merlin exchanged nervous looks with Mithian. Then he shut the door. "What might I do for you?"
"Perhaps you might relax? I appreciate your respect, Merlin." Rodor looked him over. "I wanted to meet you. I've heard a great deal. We owe you thanks on several matters. Thank you."
"I was glad to help. Princess Mithian saved me as well during my trial. Without your knights, we wouldn't be here right now. Ealdor might be destroyed. Britomart's a loyal friend. I'm glad I could recover the Queen's necklace. Thank you, King Rodor," Merlin expressed.
Rodor smiled at Humility's display in the younger man. His eyes met Mithian's for a fleeting point. Then he cleared his throat. "You're welcome. Perhaps we might borrow your services from King Arthur and Queen Guinevere at some point? There are some things you might wish to see in Whitgate."
Merlin nodded. He hoped that such a visit would be possible. Certainly his heart pined for any way to spend time around Mithian. "I would like that."
"Then we should endeavor to make it so. As Princess Mithian has offered Camelot new ideas, so do you have a great deal to offer Nemeth in return, Merlin. We should keep up appearances and maintain our loyalties though. I would not come between King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and you. Still I cannot see her opposing such an understanding," Rodor told him. "Perhaps you can help Britomart to get everything put away? Afterwards we might share this fruit and drink you've so thoughtfully brought on behalf of King Arthur?"
Merlin's eyes lit up. He definitely picked up in his gait. He walked toward the trunk eager to jump in on that next task.
In such ways were good first impressions laid…..