Chapter 17

[Dreamscape]

Mithian grimaced. She felt the soft grass underneath. She slowly opened her eyes to find herself back in the goddess' dreamscape. She efforted herself into a sitting position. She rubbed her forehead while trying to get rid of the headache pounding therein. "How did I get back here? Merlin and I didn't…"

"Mithian?"

Her ears perked. She glanced up to find Merlin standing beside her. His face still looked pale. He breathed heavily and at irregular bursts. "Merlin!" In a heartbeat, she jumped up and seized him in a big hug. "Your side's healed?"

"In here, it's all right. I can feel my body aching. Whatever Freya and you did, it's helping with the pain." He returned her embrace. "What you're doing is helping too."

She blushed. "Well I should hope so!" Her lips brushed against his cheek. "Still I heard a voice before I was pulled in here. Did you hear anything?"

He shook his head. "I haven't heard anything. I just opened my eyes and saw you lying there." He looked around following her lead in that regard.

I spoke to you, Mithian, the Voice told them again. From behind a particularly large oak tree, Balinor stepped into view. The long black and white hair and beard had reverted to jet black. Both were trimmed. Instead of the worn robes he had at his and Merlin's last meeting, he wore chain mail under the exact same sur coat displayed in Whitgate. A sword hung from his belt. "I thought it was time we should meet."

"Father?" Merlin stared at the older man.

"Aye, Merlin." Balinor smiled. His eyes twinkled. He grabbed onto his son. "Thank you for saving your mother."

"I'll always watch out for her." He returned the embrace. Misgivings dissipated before Elation's glow. His spirit felt light and free. He felt like he was floating. "I've missed you."

"And I have you, Son." Balinor motioned to his sur coat. "Now I can reveal your legacy. Now you can emerge from the shadows to stand with knights and your dragon brethren. Now you can stand with your chosen partner."

"Why didn't you share this with me at the cave?" Merlin wondered.

"Arthur, while your friend, is more like his father than either of us would care to admit. His hatred for magic will continue to burn for a while yet. I appreciate your duty at Camelot's court. Still you cannot fulfill your destiny there. Within the next two seasons, your transition will ascend to its next stage," Balinor explained. "Uther Pendragon harmed and destroyed Britannia. This Camelot, while magnificent, he built on blood, bones, pain and horror. You both have seen his handiwork with your own eyes. Others still stew and hate over it. The storm builds. Soon it will unleash full fury upon the landscape."

"Full fury?" She bit her lip. Her mind tried to consider all of the implications of that prediction.

"Aye, Mithian. As you proceed, you will run against resistance. There are those who want to cage Merlin here in Camelot for their own comfort. Merlin, you must resist against your own desire to stay here. Duty dictates you head west to fulfill Destiny's call. There your Queen will await you," Balinor prophesized. He motioned to her. "As you will wait for your King."

She squeezed her Warlock's hand in hers. "As I have vowed, so I shall."

"You will not be alone in this stand. Some have already made the journey back. Others will return at the appointed hour," Balinor continued. He listened as if hearing something distant. He nodded. "It is time for you both to return. Remember others will press. They will deter you or do their best in that regard. Do not allow them that. You have friends and allies. Only in Camelot and Cawdor does the past still hold sway. Everywhere else Change takes hold. Have heart in that." He waved his hands.

A bright white light dazzled the couple. They felt themselves being swept away…..

[Mithian's Bedchamber]

Mithian blinked and opened her eyes. She stiffened at Morgana and Gaius watching Merlin and her as closely as they were. "I'm…I'm all right." She slowly sat up.

"Princess, you should allow me to examine you. Morgana said you fainted," Gaius noted. "You could be stressed from the banquet earlier."

"Master Gaius, whatever it was, it has passed." Mithian managed to modulate her voice. She got up from the bed and stood without much of a problem. "Merlin should be all right." Her eyes shifted to her left.

"And you know that?" Morgana posed the question even if she suspected the goddess' handiwork in the Princess' declaration.

Gaius narrowed his eyes at Mithian. "Let me be the judge of that, Princess." He looked over Merlin. He inspected Freya's bandage and peered underneath it.

"Ow! I felt…that." Merlin winced. He opened his eyes slowly and with effort. "Gaius, stop. Freya did great with that. Must've used…healing spell."

"Just the same I need to see for myself." Gaius could see the lightening purple and black there. "Still some inflammation. We'll see how it heals over the next two days or so." He pulled the wrap back down over the wound. "I'm just glad he didn't hit you harder."

"I can't believe Arthur didn't do anything. Why not?" Merlin complained.

"He doesn't want to provoke a war. Still Meleagant did that all on his own tonight," Mithian assessed. "I sent Britomart and Sir Ywain after Sir Gawain in case the Cawdorians try anything."

"They did indeed." Gaius rubbed his forehead. "Britomart is with Gawain in my chamber. King Percival went with them to face Meleagant's men. Gawain had a complete breakdown, I fear."

"So he has his secrets under that fool's mask, does he?" Morgana supposed.

"He's been through a lot as you have, Queen Morgana," Gaius informed her. He packed his medical bag again. "I trust you both can watch Merlin? I have to let Arthur and Gwen know. Then Britomart and Gawain are waiting for me." He bowed to them. Then, with a sharp look to Merlin, he departed.

Merlin grimaced. "I know that look. The lecture's coming."

"Let it. You didn't do anything," Mithian assured him. "Thank you, Morgana, for the support."

"You're welcome." Morgana observed Skepticism across Merlin's face. "You did offer renewed friendship. I am affirming that. For what we once had. To support what you two have and will build." She held out her hand. "New beginning?"

He exchanged looks with his Princess. Seeing her nod, he took Morgana's hand. "New beginning. Thanks. Sorry I don't have more energy."

"I appreciate that, Merlin. Good night, you two." Morgana smiled. Much as they might have in Merlin's first year in the castle, her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She smiled more like Uther's ward than the rogue Priestess. With that, she slipped out of the chamber and down the passage toward her own lodgings. Relief and Acceptance warmed her heart. Whereas she and Merlin had become powerful adversaries, it seemed they were returning toward friendship.

And that's really all they could ask for….any of them…..