Chapter 14 [Mithian's Chamber]
Merlin paced about the chamber. He paled at his soiled robes. Anger burned over Meleagant's attitude. He couldn't believe that anyone would treat his Princess like property. His side still ached from where he'd hit the wall. Even with the numbing spell, the wound throbbed like a drunken drummer on the battlefield. Disbelief washed over him due to Arthur's uncharacteristic lack of control and allowing the ceremony to fall apart. It's too bad. Peter had such a nice poem. He rubbed the injured side.
The door opened allowing Mithian and Rodor to enter the area. They kept up their conversation even as two Nemethian knights shut them all in. He made his way toward the desk and its wooden chair. She hustled over to the Warlock's side.
"Merlin, I thought Britomart told you to lie down," she lectured. She could clear see how he favored his right side. Immediately she snaked his arm over her shoulders and helped him toward her bed. "Now please."
"Have to honor your father, Princess…." Seeing her eyebrow raise at his use of her title, he grimaced. "We're with your father. I…won't…take it for granted. I…." A sharp pain cut through his side. Still he struggled to bow nearly collapsing in the process.
"Your reverence and respect honor me on their own, Merlin." Rodor motioned toward the bed. "Now do as she says. Do I need to make it a royal command?"
"N…No, Your Highness." Merlin gasped. He exhaled in small bursts. Pain's mini-gasps escaped his lips as he relented. Following her direction, he slumped onto the bed. "Should…should be serving you."
"That's out there for Arthur. There you're a servant. Here you're not." She pulled his boots off and eased the sheets and blanket over him. "Relax. Master Gaius will be here soon enough." She moved stiffly; his emotions and wounds stabbing at her through the Link. "Why didn't you leave? Arthur would've understood. How did you keep going? Your pain…it's…." She blinked back her tears.
I used a spell to keep myself going. I wasn't about to leave you with Meleagant, Merlin insisted telepathically.
And what would you have done? You will not expose yourself for me! she retorted.
I don't care. You're important. I… With that, Merlin slumped into unconsciousness.
"Merlin? MERLIN!" Panic seized her in its vice. She rubbed his shoulder. "Please! Stay with us!" She forced herself not to shake him or do anything else to make his wounds worse than they already were.
Rodor hustled to the door. He flung it open. "Sir Harold! Fetch Master Gaius from his chamber! Quickly!"
"Yes, Sire!" Harold rushed off as fast as he could manage.
Rodor shut the door again. He rubbed his forehead. "Arthur and I will have words about this. I fail to understand how he did nothing. This is intolerable. I will not let it stand!"
"Merlin didn't do anything but invite Queen Elena to sit with us. Why did that butcher do that? WHY?" she demanded.
"He lives to provoke conflict, Mithian. Merlin played his part. Once more, his loyalty is commendable. I meant what I said." Rodor placed his hand on her shoulder. "You're committed now. It is just a matter of timing and diplomacy. Because he was injured in our service, I will have him stay here with us."
She nodded. "Thank you, Father." She straightened Merlin's hair. "I won't have you looking like some undignified prat, my Prince." She laid a kiss on his forehead.
At that moment, mists spilled from the corner. They formed into a pillar and then a doorway. From them, Freya walked briskly into the area. She only allowed the two royals to see a grim poker face. Underneath it all, however, she panicked every bit as much as Mithian did. "What did he do to you, Merlin?" She pulled the covers back. With a single motion, she yanked his top up to expose the badly bruised area. She touched the area feeling if there were any bumps or anything protruding through the skin. "Nothing broken. Thank the goddess for that." She touched the spot with her hand. "Slànachadh!"
Her hand glowed. A brilliant white glow dazzled the two royals. The energies flowed into Merlin's side. The damage closed the small cracks in the rib in question. The bruising faded ever so slightly. Merlin wheezed.
Mithian's breath caught in her throat. Worry burned at her. She peered closer right behind Freya's shoulder. She could feel his improvement through the Link. Still she needed to know more. "Is he…?"
"He needs rest." She tore a strip from Merlin's servant garb. She wrapped it around her torso several times. Then she tied it off just over his stomach. "That should do it. Princess, he's not to move."
"You might need to tie him down. He won't listen," Mithian pointed out.
"Don't I know it?" Freya frowned. She rolled her eyes fully knowing that Mithian had Merlin pegged. "Perhaps Arthur and Guinevere would assign another servant to you?"
"Britomart and Sarah can handle our affairs, Priestess Freya. Still thank you," Rodor assured her. "I will speak with King Arthur about this. Merlin will stay there. Meantime, Mithian, you should stay in another chamber."
"Father, someone should stay with him. I can do that," Mithian insisted.
"I know you can. It's not about trust. Still it's about appearances. We can have Master Gaius stay with him," Rodor pointed out.
Mithian bit her lip. She wanted to be on hand to take care of Merlin. Still part of her realized that her father and Freya were right. "If you can stay with him, I'd be grateful, Priestess Freya. I just don't want you having trouble. Camelot still remains hostile to you and yours."
"So Nimue tells me. I recall all too well how the attitudes are here as well," Freya agreed. "Of course. I would stay with him. You should let Queen Guinevere know. She will help us."
"I will do so," Rodor agreed. "My thanks as well."
Freya nodded. She remained resolute. Still she felt glad to have a continued role where Merlin was concerned. At least Mithian trusts me. I can be her friend. And, Merlin, I can help protect you as well.
In such ways, even an injury could help shape things….