Chapter 20 [Mithian's Bedchamber—A Turn of the Hourglass Later]
Merlin stared at the ceiling. He frowned at the most recent wave of visitors to the chambers. His mind pined over how much work remained to be done around the castle. He cursed the injury which kept him so weak and in that bed. Several times he'd attempted to escape. He'd actually got out of bed and made it to the door. That is until he discovered it had been sealed with a containment spell….
…a spell it seemed Freya had placed over it to keep him inside… It seems she'd thought of everything.
Mithian is so set and determined to keep me here. I'm all right! I wish she'd understand. I…. He grimaced at Pain's sharp stab in his side.
"Not so healed, are you?" Freya supposed from the other side of the chamber. "What is with you, Merlin? Can't you just stay put and heal?"
"I have things to do! I…" Merlin protested.
"Arthur can find someone else to muck stables for once," she told him; Anger hissing into his ears with each tone.
"He is my King," he pointed out.
"For now. Still he is obligated to treat you decently," she insisted. "Besides there is another piece of news."
He stiffened. "Do I really want to know?"
"You should. Still it is for King Rodor and Princess Mithian to tell you." Freya peered toward the door. Her eyebrow raised. "And it seems they aren't alone." She created a mist portal. "I'd best leave."
"Wait! What?" He watched her vanish. He slumped against the pillows. Several times during the earlier visit, he'd heard the dignitaries' vague hints about some grand announcement on Arthur's part. Still they wouldn't tell him anything. "Who's there?"
It's Father and me. We have others to see you. You are still in that bed. Aren't you? Mithian declared.
Yes. Like I'd be anywhere else? Mithian, I do have things to do. I'll get through this like everything else, he declared.
And we can help get those tasks done. Meantime I could make you stay there, she countered.
Like the containment spell on the door? Freya's been busy, he noted.
When certain Warlocks don't know when to stay put, it's necessary, she informed him. She opened the door and stuck her head in. A smirk and her eyes' sparkle lit up her face. "Well now, there's hope for you yet."
"Now I have two bossy royals to deal with. Yak, yak, yak…." Merlin sassed.
"What was that?" she retorted; a rude snort escaping from her curled lips.
"Oh nothing." He ground his teeth conceding the point for Appearance's sake to say the least. He sat up with effort. "You do…have things needing to be done."
Mithian frowned. "The only thing you're going to do is rest in that bed, Merlin. And that is an order."
"No topping that is there?" Merlin conceded.
"Considering I'm the bossy royal, no. Deal with that." Mithian somehow restrained herself from a saucy kiss to drive the point home. She motioned toward the door. "We have a few more guests."
"Looks like she's got you figured out, Merlin," Gawain jabbed. He leaned against the door frame for support. He forced a devil may care smirk onto his face. Mischief twinkled in his eyes. "And here I thought you'd be cleaning up."
"Thought…that Britomart would clean you up," Merlin retorted not wanting to give an inch.
"Brit thinks she will. Yeah right." Gawain managed a couple of bravado-driven steps. Still his breakdown had left him drained. He swayed and staggered. 'I'll deal with…the…"
"You'll relax." Britomart snaked her arms under his effectively catching him before he could hit the floor. She grunted. "You need a diet."
Merlin and Mithian both coughed.
"I…What? Now you're saying I'm fat?" Gawain complained.
"I thought you were…full of hot air before. Now I know there's…more, you Oaf," Britomart fired back. She helped him over to a chair by the bed. "Stay put. Maybe you might encourage Merlin?"
"Lady, he is my friend. Think I know a thing or two about that." Gawain sucked in a heavy breath. "Mate, she is a royal pain. You know that?"
"She's good for you. You know it," Merlin informed him. "Besides you now owe her one."
"At least Merlin can count. Listen to him," Britomart interjected.
"You're no help, Merlin. Don't encourage her. She clings tighter than one of those leeches." Gawain shuddered. He ground his teeth. He narrowed his eyes.
"Maybe she can keep you out of the Rising Sun, Sir Gawain? It seems you need such aid," Mithian deduced.
"Gee, Mith. You think so? Thanks." Gawain coughed. "I'm not a bloody goose to claim as a prize."
"Nobody ever said as much," Britomart insisted. "You don't need to kill yourself either!"
"We can continue this discussion later. Right now, Merlin, there are two more people to see you." Mithian motioned toward the door again. There she saw Arthur and Gwen awaiting their cue.
"All of this bickering is giving me a headache! Can't you two be quiet?" Arthur complained.
Gawain coughed. "Hey, Merlin, Arthur's delicate head's pounding again. Wonder if he got cuffed on patrol again. Eh?"
Merlin grinned. While he wanted to make some smart-aleck remark, he stifled it. "Maybe." He looked toward Arthur and Gwen. "Sire and my Lady."
"Merlin! It's good to see you awake. Are you feeling better?" Gwen declared.
"I am. Thanks to Princess Mithian and another friend. I…." Merlin started before Gwen cut him off.
"We know about Priestess Freya's help, Merlin. It's all right." Gwen looked at the bandages around his middle. "Magic does have its uses."
"Not likely," Arthur complained before getting a dirty look from his wife. "What? You know magic is evil! So it helped this time. So what?"
"You'd be surprised, Arthur. Magic can be good too. Depends on the user," Gawain retorted sticking up for Merlin and Freya in the process. "Besides Freya did help us before. Quit being like Uther. That act isn't going to help anyone."
"I could put you in the stocks or a cell, Gawain. I have yet to decide what to do about last night," Arthur threatened.
"Arthur, don't. You let Meleagant provoke everything. At least he left before anything happened," Gwen pleaded.
"I just went to stew and drink it off. Maybe his goons should've stayed away!" Gawain bowed his head. A spasm shook him. "That arse likes playing games? FINE!" Sweat drenched his forehead. His eyes narrowed to slits. "HIS BLOODY UNCLE'S FULL OF BOLLOCKS! HE'S THE COWARD NOT MY FATHER! HE DROVE MY MOTHER AND ME OUT! MOTHER DIED IN THE MUD! BECAUSE OF THE RED CANS! YOU REALLY THINK THIS IS A GAME?"
"Gawain, quit carrying on. You didn't have to…" Arthur started.
"Sire, maybe we shouldn't argue…." Merlin suggested.
"Merlin, he's carrying on like a girl. And you're lying there…." Arthur sniffed.
Gawain jumped out of his seat. "You let him embarrass me! You're like the hotshot King! You could stop him! But noooo! You let Big Red insult Mith and Elena. Merlin's in that 'girl bed' because you wouldn't face him! I had to take his bloody challenge! ALL RIGHT?" His breathing came out in short sharp bursts. "And you're talking about the stocks? SERIOUSLY? Maybe you'll go on like Uther did about magic? Hate to tell you. The priestesses are good too. They helped us. They helped you. Hell, they just healed Merlin from what I can tell."
"You don't understand…." Arthur sputtered.
"Understand what, Sire? I…." Gawain's eyes watered. He bowed his head. "You think you're the only one that's lost a father? Mith's still got hers. The rest of us…well…we've all had our Dads murdered. QUIT IT! I…I…" He winced. Slowly he rose from his seat. "Forget it. Brit, I…tried."
"Sir Gawain, maybe you need to rest here." Britomart turned to Mithian seeking confirmation or support in that regard.
"Merlin doesn't need to listen to my crap," Gawain disagreed.
"Maybe we girls need to stick together?" Merlin suggested while sticking a barb in for Arthur at the end. "He motioned toward the spot next to himself.
Arthur grimaced. "Yes…well…I do believe there are some other matters to attend to. Merlin, I'm glad you're recovering. I'll expect you back in the next couple of days." Crimson streaked across his cheeks. He hurried out of the chamber.
Gwen sighed. "I'm sorry, Everyone. I wish I understood what's happening with him.'
"His world's been turned upside down and he's having a hard time adjusting?" Merlin supposed. He glanced toward the still open door and down into the passage.
"More like his delicate ego's been bruised. Maybe he might think of what he's done to us." Gawain glanced at Gwen and then at Mithian. "Life rots some times." He shook his head.
"He is growing. I can see that," Mithian pointed out.
"Thank you for saying that." Gwen peered down the hall. Even if she was the Queen, Embarrassment weighed on her. "Merlin, I'm glad you're getting better. Rest up. Enjoy the company." She smiled before departing from the chamber.
Britomart closed the door. "Sometimes I feel sorry for Queen Guinevere. I don't understand how King Arthur can keep the kingdom running straight."
Mithian chuckled. "He does what he can. Any good ruler needs his or her supporters. The Queen is one." She looked toward the bed. And you're the other, Merlin.
Nice that someone notices. Now maybe the Prat might? Merlin supposed over the Link.
Maybe someday he will. Meantime don't be getting a swelled head, my Prince, Mithian jabbed back. She smirked at him and slapped at his arm.
Gawain stretched out. "Yeah I could get used to this and…." He felt his head drop to the mattress. "Hey! What the….?"
"Perhaps you might get used to that as well, Sir Gawain?" Mithian proposed.
"Gawain, quit while you're ahead," Merlin advised. "You still could end up in the stocks." He coughed. "Or…" A gleam sparked in his eye. "Perhaps I could suggest to someone that you need some time to yourself. A nice ride. Perhaps a picnic? Pick some herbs and flowers?"
"Now you're talking," Gawain agreed. He leaned back and imagined the scene. "Yeah a furlough. I can definitely deal with that, Mate."
"You would." Britomart rolled her eyes. "It just happens that Master Wyngate needs me to undertake such a venture. I could use a strong and supposedly trained knight as a companion."
"I believe Father would support such an idea." Mithian's smirk spread wider across her face. "And you say, Merlin, you wouldn't be a good Prince. Such ideas do make you passable in that regard." She kissed him on the cheek. "Rest up now. While I'm here, you'll stay right there."
"Yes, Dear," Merlin replied half-seriously.
"See? You are learning." Mithian led Britomart out of the chamber and shut the door behind them.
"Merlin, next time you get an idea, keep it to yourself. Geez! My head's hurting again," Gawain complained.
"Don't fight the Power. You're looking all over the place. Maybe the answers are right in front of us?" Merlin closed his eyes. "I'm taking a nap."
Gawain rolled his eyes. Special assistant to her? A vacation with no taverns, wenching or fighting? Seriously? What's this world coming to? He closed his eyes and drifted off toward Morpheus' domain as well.
Some things just happened to work out better when one works with them…..