Chapter 16

[Mithian's Bedchamber]

Despite the increasingly late hour and her father's wishes, Mithian sat by Merlin's bedside. On the nightstand between them, an empty cup and a quarter-full bowl of chicken broth sat at least partially used. She wet a rag and dabbed his forehead and cheeks. Otherwise she watched over him.

The grains of the hourglass seemed to slow so as to drop one by one…heartbeat by heartbeat…..

Why didn't Arthur do anything? Frustration and Indignation burned inside in her heart. She understood well how Diplomacy dictated how such things worked. Still once Meleagant had insulted Elena, caused Gawain's breakdown and assaulted Merlin, that should have merited a response stronger than a few 'cease and desists'. Yes Meleagant carries the war threat with him. The bloody bully doesn't care. And to think he lusts after me? Revulsion threatened to make her throw up. She shuddered. Well Father told him, I am committed. Arthur doesn't care about Merlin as he should. She kissed his forehead. Well I do. As soon as we can get you out of here without a war, Merlin, I will do it.

A knock came from the door.

Now who? She walked toward it. She cracked it to find Morgana waiting outside. "Queen Morgana." She forced herself to offer a polite royal nod. "What can I do for you?"

"Word has it that Merlin is in here. How is he?" Morgana asked.

Mithian raised an eyebrow. She knew well of Gossip's rapid pace of speaking to many ears at once. Still she hadn't expected the news to circulate that fast. "He is my service. As such, I am caring for him."

"As a servant or lover?" Morgana coughed. Seeing the Princess narrowing her eyes, she put her hands up. "I am not here to do harm. Believe it or not, I'm on your side. Might I come in?"

Mithian motioned her inside. She shut the door behind them. Freya?

Yes, Princess? Is there any change with Merlin? Freya responded; Concern accenting every word over their Link.

None yet. Morgana's here. Is she a threat? Mithian wondered.

Not if she's smart. The goddess has taken her magic and ordered her to work with us. You can trust her, Freya noted.

Thank you. I'll let you know immediately if there's any change, Mithian expressed. She looked back toward her visitor. "You'll forgive my brusqueness. I don't want my feelings toward Merlin being rumor and innuendo."

Morgana shrugged. "There has been talk. Agravaine suspected. So does Gaius. My dear brother is too busy playing soldier and ignoring Merlin at the moment to put the facts together. Otherwise most of the Five Kingdoms know."

"And you? What's your stance on this?" Mithian raised her voice. Her back raised ever so slightly. She stepped between the former Priestess and Merlin. Her hand rested on his arm.

"I support you both of course." Seeing Disbelief clouding Mithian's expression, she continued, "Despite everything, I have always supported the return of the Old Religion and magic to the land, Mithian. I was not always enemies with Merlin. No actually in the beginning, we were friends. It was his preference for Arthur and Camelot even over his own kind." A sharp breath escaped her lips. "You are bringing him back to where he should be. As long as that's the case, I want Merlin to be happy."

"And Arthur?" Mithian asked.

"What of him?" Morgana gathered the Princess' intent. "Oh yes. That." She snorted. "Yes I would like to watch you take Merlin away from Arthur. Gwen should be his right hand now. Merlin should be yours."

"And you? You and Merlin?" Mithian asked.

"Merlin came to me recently asking to be my friend again. After tonight, I am ready to be that. Arthur would let him hang especially if he found out about Merlin's magic. He needs more. The goddess has ordained it to be him and you, Mithian. Let that be an understanding and a peace offering before your father, you and I negotiate our treaty." Morgana held her hand out. "Please take it.'

"You swear your good intent?" Mithian pressed wanting to be convinced.

"I swear with the triple goddess as my witness. I support Merlin and you," Morgana reaffirmed.

Mithian exhaled. She shook Morgana's hand. "Then I thank you. Sorry. I just don't know who to trust. I…." She wavered. "What? I?"

Mithian of Nemeth, I must speak to you, a strange male voice told her telepathically.

"Who? What? I…." Her eyes started to flutter. She staggered.

"Mithian? Mithian, what is it?" Morgana rushed forward. Somehow she managed to catch Mithian before she hit the floor. "Now what?" She dragged the Princess over to the bed and set her next to Merlin. She pulled the door open looking for help. Seeing Gaius coming down the passage, she yelled, "GAIUS! HURRY!"

"Queen Morgana? What is it?" He hustled as rapidly as his legs could manage. Panic prompted several ill thoughts through his mind. "Is it Merlin? Do you know where he is?"

"He and Princess Mithian are in here. She just collapsed. I don't know why!" Morgana explained. She ushered him into the bedchamber.

"My word!" Gaius ran over to the bed. He examined both the Princess and Merlin. "What did this?"

"Merlin was sleeping when I arrived. Princess Mithian was asking who and what something was. She staggered and then fell unconscious. If I still had my magic, I'd look into it myself. Since I don't, I'll need your help," Morgana explained.

"I'll see what I can do." He looked at the unconscious couple in front of himself. For a split second, he turned to Morgana. The question seemed to hang on his lips and in his eyes.

"What?" she demanded.

"Did you…?" he started.

"Did I? What? NO!" She frowned; her lips crinkled like a dried prune. Her eyes flared into his. "I don't have magic any more. I can't." She shook her head. "If I did, I would be getting to the bottom of this. Maybe you might try doing the same?"

He nodded. At that point, he wished for magical help as well.

Still other things would be happening where his patients were concerned first…..