Chapter 10
While the court's guests settled into their chambers, the castellans hustled through the final preparations. Audrey snapped and lectured her kitchen staff through the perfect feast. Garlands, albeit somber given the occasion, flew up along the walls and pillars. Clean linen cloths covered the newly arranged tables. On top of them, gleaming plates and utensils—fresh from their ordeal at George's overbearing hand—awaited the aforementioned meals.
Even among the visitors, some prepared with special dispensation. Peter, for example, meditated at Mithian's desk with her permission. He'd received several of the attendees' predecessors' names for a special Samhain poem. With only a water cup to slack Thirst's nagging, he puzzled through potential lyrics, rhymes and structures. Occasionally Sarah would stick her head in to check on his progress and pick his spirits up again before darting away to her next task.
Such was life at the hive as the bees scurried to make their honey…..
[Council Chamber]
Fresh off of the latest meeting with his royal council, Arthur inspected a few charters and deeds. Occasionally he'd recommend a change or some adjustment for the scribes. More often than not, he'd affix the royal seal to each one's bottom and move on. Still, after a few such inspections, he had to take a break. He leaned back against his chair. Wine assuaged his mouth and throat. His glance shifted toward Gaius who watched him several steps back from the table. "You could have sat down while you were waiting, Gaius."
"I did not wish to presume, Sire. My report is brief. I just wanted to tell you that the plague has abated out in the provinces. The remedies worked well. Only a dozen deaths reported across the entire western frontier. Everyone else should recover nicely."
"Splendid! I appreciate the good news." Arthur sprang up out of his seat. He paced a bit. "The knights still seem out of sorts from the occupation. These guests' needs do distract from our focus. Samhain always wears on me. And then there's Merlin." He shook his head.
"Merlin? I was about to check on him. Is there something wrong?" Gaius stiffened. Worry clouded his thinking wondering if his former charge had betrayed the big secret.
"Merlin's just being Merlin." Arthur sniffed and offered a half-hearted shrug. "He did manage to get a few things done around the household since Gwen reinstated him. I'll say he's been doing all right. Most of his time though, he's been with Rodor and Mithian in their chambers." He snorted. "He's now their designated chambermaid or some such nonsense." He exhaled. "Well if Mithian wants to put up with him, she can. I just wish that he would've been such an enthusiastic sport about things before."
Gaius nodded. "He was embarrassed, Sire."
"Well then he should've thought about that before he dressed Gawain and me up like girls. Now he understands. The others should've understood. Percival totally overreacted. He knows how we are." Arthur rolled his eyes. "This is why Merlin's an idiot. He makes everything harder."
"He also has saved your life and served you well. Repeatedly," Gaius reminded him.
"Yes I do suppose that's true. I would presume that's why Gwen let him run off to serve Rodor. He must have feelings for that red haired maid. What's her name again?" Arthur presumed.
"Britomart."
"Ah yes. That one. Might be good for Merlin. Having a woman would straighten him out. It would serve him right for nagging me about Gwen and keeping her happy." Arthur smirked. "I should speak with Rodor about that. If anything, it might get Gawain's mind back to where it should be."
"Really? How so?" Gaius of course knew that the knight and the maid had feelings for one another. Still they bantered and drove each other (not to mention everyone around them) crazy in the process. As far as Merlin was concerned, the Physician had definite suspicions that Merlin was interested in a woman at Nemeth's court. However, in his estimation, said person was definitely not Britomart but the person above her in the hierarchy.
A Princess forbidden to a low born servant such as Merlin….
Before Gaius could respond or Arthur could go on, Leon walked into the chamber and up to the two men. He glanced over his shoulder toward the door repeatedly. Then he bowed. "Forgive me, Arthur. There's an urgent visitor. She requests to see you."
"Urgent visitor? Leon, I wasn't aware of any emissaries. I…." Arthur stopped at the sight of Morgana standing firmly in the door. He could see her arms crossed across her chest and the familiar eyebrow raised. He knew the signs well of her growing impatience from their time growing up together. "Thank you, Leon. You may go." He looked to Gaius. "Stay."
"As you wish, Sire." Gaius observed her approach with care. His eyes never left her awaiting an attack of some kind or another. He wondered why no spell had come forth. "Lady Morgana, I must admit I'm surprised that you're here. I would have thought…."
"And good morrow to you as well, Gaius." Her eyebrow raised. Sparks jumped from her emerald eyes. "My new charge mandates good relations with Camelot. As my brother will tell you, being on the throne has its burdens and challenges."
"All part of being the steward of the realm, Morgana." Arthur stiffened. "And how goes the transition in Tintagel? Given what your uncle mismanaged, I assume you've had your share of difficulty?"
She smiled saccharin-sweetly at the other ruler. "No, Arthur. Actually Queen Annis and King Rodor have been very helpful in providing help for such matters. Their knights proved valuable in rounding up the rebels against my uncle's rule. The assassin was also dealt with. As efficiently as everything was attended to, I even sent a few healers into your western territories."
"A few healers? Gaius?" Arthur turned to the older man.
Gaius nodded. "There were reports of priests and priestesses of the Old Religion. Their efforts did seem to mitigate the plague."
"Mitigate? That might be one way of putting it, Gaius," she cut in. "You didn't tell him about their help. Did you?" She sniffed at him. "You're so quick to take credit. Then you ignore the source." She frowned. "Perhaps you might share some credit where it due."
"Perhaps he might have. I should have been notified, Morgana," Arthur rebutted.
"Perhaps in the way Cedric was notified before Merlin led you all to Ealdor? At that point, you accepted the priestesses' help. Why is that so different? The priestesses are loyal to Avalon not me. Still I directed them to where the need was greatest. Gratitude can move us in that right direction, Arthur," she reminded him.
Irritation stung at Arthur over her rebuke. "Even the old superstitions have some value, Morgana." He regarded her again.
"The goddess guided me to Tintagel's throne, Arthur. She also saw fit to return your crown to you," she countered.
"I heard that you lost your magic. Well now, it seems your new mistress slaps your hand hard," Arthur scoffed. "Father dealt with the Old Religion as it deserved. We have moved beyond that."
"I may have lost my magic, Arthur, but I am still a priestess. By her will, I seek an end to the enmity between us," she pointed out.
"Pity you didn't have such loyalty to Father, Camelot or me, Morgana. The bloodshed and upheaval would've been avoided," Arthur chided. "Camelot is not about to submit to the Old Religion, the priestesses or any agent of your goddess. Reynald of Mercia reported the old man who killed Father was at Ealdor. Now he's a dragon lord too."
"He did help you, Arthur. Besides he was framed by a rogue sorcerer. Emrys is innocent. The true murderer has been dealt with. Uther has been avenged in that regard. The dragon lord led his brethren to save you and the others," she informed him.
"And that is why I haven't tried to hunt him or those beasts down yet. If he shows his face within the citadel, I'll have him arrested on sight. I still recall the Great Dragon's rampage a decade ago," Arthur vowed.
"A rampage caused by Uther's deceptions and cruelty." She sighed deeply. "Pity, Arthur. I had hoped to at least talk of a truce between Tintagel and Camelot."
"We can still do so. We don't seek your lands. Pardon me if I don't trust you though," Arthur replied while trying to find a compromise.
"The persecutions though will cease. You speak of equality and tolerance when it suits you, Arthur. Those among your people who follow the inner path deserve the same regard. Already your attitude splinters potential alliances." Seeing him tense again, she shook her head. "I have promised not to seek your overthrow. I am only informing you. Consider that another gesture of good will. You might consider doing the same and who's really working behind the scenes." She glared at Gaius. "And where your loyalties should be. Good day, Brother." She offered a curt nod before turning on her heel and marching out.
After the door slammed shut, Arthur shook his head. "Unbelievable. After all of the trouble, you'd think she'd learn. Pure foolishness. If Merlin were higher bred, I'd marry them. Let him be with a woman of his own mindset."
"Perhaps someday, Sire. I'd like to see Merlin if I could. Do you know where he is?" Gaius asked wanting to get away from the matters discussed by Morgana immediately.
"I believe Princess Mithian has him decorating the Grand Hall. Merlin can be such a girl about such things." Arthur rolled his eyes. "Ever since I broke off our engagement, she's been getting Merlin into every frilly and flowery thing. Even that garden!" He gulped a draught. "At least Gwen's happy about the garden."
"That is a good thing in itself, Sire," Gaius reminded him. Admittedly Arthur's complaints about Merlin did chafe a bit. Still Concern continued to worm its way into his conscious thought. Now that the missions were over, he could watch certain matters and Warlocks a little closer. He bowed to Arthur.
"See if you get Merlin to check on something else? You can go. Thank you, Gaius. At least I know where your loyalties are," Arthur dismissed him.
Gaius nodded before departing from the area. His mind was no longer with the frustrated King. No, he sought answers to other questions concerning Merlin.
Questions whose answers he might not like….