Chapter 40 [Nightmare Realm—Ten minutes prior to Mithian's telepathic contact]
Elena wrinkled her nose and slowly opened her eyes. Despite her anxiousness about the Amazons and her own current state, she had slept remarkably well. She shook her arm to restore the circulation therein and sniffed the air.
The scent of a freshly cooking game made her mouth water.
"What?" She sat up to find Gwen floating over a stick with a skinned rabbit browning. "Queen Guinevere? Forgive me but how did you…?"
"Good evening…or whatever time of day it is, Elena," Gwen replied warmly. She understood well the skittishness that exile brought to a refugee. "While you were asleep, I decided to arrange a meal. I may not be hungry but you need sustenance. I remember what it was like when Merlin's mother gave me sanctuary in Ealdor several years ago. She was so kind and warm to me. Granted it wasn't much but it was a warm meal and a roof overhead. Still her generosity as well as that of the village meant the world to me. So who am I to deny that?"
"I can't believe that Arthur would merit the love of someone such as yourself. It is unbelievable," Elena doubted while shaking her head.
"Arthur? You've seen him? Where is he? How is he?" Gwen demanded; her heart jumping at the sound of his name. Her brain both elated and worried for him simultaneously.
"He is Queen Radegund's prisoner and soon to be servant, Milady. I'm afraid he's been…tortured…most heinously. My Queen acts most out of character for herself as if proving a point. More than likely, the Lady Morgana manipulates her and my Amazon sisters to her own ends. Morgana discovered me aiding your husband with food and counsel. She brought us both before my sovereign. I couldn't reach her, Milady! She banished me rather than having me executed. Still I'd rather die as my service was my life. You wouldn't understand," Elena recounted.
"Again I understand better than you think. I served the Lady Morgana years ago before she turned to dark magic. Merlin feels the same way about Arthur. So if you can do me a favor? Please do not assume that others might not understand because it may seem that way," Gwen advised while trying to retain her patience.
"My apologies. Still you might remind Arthur of that if you see him again. He is to replace me in her household," Elena continued. "If I may ask a question about him?"
"Certainly, Elena. Go ahead."
"Why is Arthur such an insufferable twit when it comes to magic? I understand his hating the Lady Morgana. However, from what my Queen said, Merlin has an esteemed reputation as his servant and companion. In talking to him in the cell, he considers Merlin a traitor for hiding the magic from him. I wouldn't have told my Queen if she and I were in that situation either," Elena queried.
Gwen considered the question with an open mind. Granted the Amazon's impudence toward Arthur grated on her ears. Still she did raise some good points. Perhaps she needs to hear the whole story. "Arthur lost both of his parents to dark sorcery. You've seen what it did to Lady Morgana, Uther's ward and Arthur's half-sister. In addition King Uther drilled that hatred of sorcery into his head for the entirety of his life. Admittedly we've seen great evil caused by sorcery. I do wish he'd see the good that people can do as well."
"My point exactly. From what we'd heard, he was supposed to be this revolutionary figure respecting all peoples and practices, breaking from the past while trying to take those people's feelings into account. So why judge all sorcerers as evil? I do not understand," Elena concurred.
"That is a heavy question. Much as you described trying to reach your Queen before your banishment, I tried to reason with Arthur concerning Merlin and the Princess Mithian," Gwen admitted. "I didn't know of their magic before the last few days. Merlin's apparently used it for our protection and service for the past decade. I think though Arthur's angry over Merlin's lying to our faces about it. Much as you talk about doing the same to remain at the Amazon court, Merlin was the doing the same at Camelot. Apparently Gaius, our court physician, knew as well. Both were admittedly hypocritical about magic and their opinions about it. Still I can understand why under Uther's reign." She sighed deeply.
"So it's the lying that enrages Arthur against him then? Pardon me but Arthur needs to grow up and forgive Merlin. I've told him the same thing when we talked in his cell, Milady. Circumstances demanded that Merlin lie to preserve his life. Arthur's father would've executed him for practicing magic. I guess in preserving a greater good at the time mitigated things. Perhaps though Arthur and you might focus on a community of trust and tolerance?" Elena shrugged. By now though, her tongue wet her lips over the cooking rabbit. "Forgive my lack of manners."
"It is for you, Elena. Please eat," Gwen assented. "It would seem reasonable given our stance on other practices and tolerance. People however would need time to adjust."
"Let them. Question is they would have to learn to co-exist with sorcerers in the meantime," Elena replied frankly. She bit into the roasted rabbit and smiled. "Mmm! Where did you find rosemary and Roman oil here?"
"Somehow I was thinking of it. Then I found it on the cave floor. I'm not questioning it. I'm glad you can eat something delicious to brighten our time here," Gwen concurred. Then she felt a buzzing in her head.
"What's that?" Elena nearly dropped her meal while grimacing from a similar pain. "It's like someone's trying to reach into my head. I…"
Then they both heard Mithian calling, Queen Guinevere! Elena! Can you hear me? It's all right! I want to help you!
"Now I'm hearing voices in my head. This place will kill me yet," Elena groused.
"Maybe not," Gwen advised. She recalled having the same sensation just before she, Mithian and Arthur were drawn into that other dreamscape. Princess Mithian, is that you?
Queen Guinevere, yes, it's me! Hang on! Where are you? Merlin and I are looking for you! Mithian replied positively.
It's a strange and dark place. I'm stuck here with an Amazon named Elena. Can you help us? Gwen called back. She smiled at Elena. "Merlin and Mithian are looking for us! She's speaking to me. That's the buzzing in your head."
"Okay. Wish I could hear it like you can," Elena lamented. "Maybe they can get us out of here?"
We're trying. Hang on. Merlin? Mithian declared.
"Wait! I just heard that!" Elena realized. "Was that Princess Mithian of Nemeth? She's a sorcerer?"
"She is. Merlin? Merlin, are you there too?" she queried anxiously.
Right here. Gwen, we'll be right there. He cast the spell. "Lorg Guinevere!"
"Lorg…what?" Elena inquired in confusion.
Cover your eyes, Ladies, Merlin advised cautiously.
Seconds later, a brilliant white flash enveloped the entire cavern. When it faded, Merlin and Mithian stood there collecting themselves.
"Is this it?" Mithian shivered slightly from the chill. Then she saw the two exiled women. "Queen Guinevere, I…." She stopped cold. "Why are you a ghost? Merlin?"
"She's an astral projection. Morgana trapped that part of her here as her body sleeps in our world. We'll get her back to herself in no time. And you're Elena, right? I'm Merlin." He offered the ex-maid his hand. "It's a pleasure."
"Wish it were under better circumstances. Can you get us out of here?" Elena pressed. "Forgive my impatience but I wish to get back to my Queen and castle."
"We'll do our best," Mithian noted although she wasn't sure retracing the path would be as easy. "Merlin, I need an anchor point there. I…."
"Focus on Gawain and Britomart. They should be there," Merlin advised sagely. "As I told you, I know you can do it." He smiled at her for emphasis.
"Thank you." Mithian focused and called out, Sir Gawain? Lady Britomart? Can you hear me?
Milady? YES! We can hear you! Did you find them? Britomart responded immediately.
They're here with us. We're coming to you. Merlin's going to get us back. We just need you to focus on us too. We need your thoughts to link us like a rope, Mithian told them.
You got it. Like I'm going to let ol' Merlin down. Besides we need Gwen back here to beat some sense into Arthur's head, Gawain interjected.
I'll see what I can do, Gwen replied while suppressing a smirk for dignity's sake. Still she could almost hear the chafing in the flamboyant knight's tone. "Are we ready?"
"We are. Everyone take hands. He placed his hand on top of Gwen's. Then he stated demonstratively, "Tilleadh gu Radegund caisteal!"
In a similar white flash, the quartet vanished leaving only the remains of the fire and the rabbit in their wake in the hope for returning where the journey started…..