Chapter 57 [Three Hours Later]
[Nemethian Guest Chambers]
[A/N: Sorry this one's so short. Working on a longer installment as we speak! Thanks!]
Merlin shuffled slightly; his footsteps wavering ever so slightly. He smiled broadly and proudly. His hand clasped affectionately in Mithian's. Still his mind drifted all over the place….
…no doubt due to the wine Gawain kept pouring in his goblet….
The warlock sighed heavily almost anticipating how Gaius would react to this situation. Merlin, you should have known better! You know that one sniff of a tavern maid's apron gets you more drunk than an sailor!
"Gaius, s…stop it. Having fun," he muttered indignantly.
She arched an eyebrow at him. While she did feel somewhat lightheaded, she maintained enough sensibility to guide them both…
…in direct contrast to the chivalric expectation of him walking her back to her room…
"Are you sure you can make it back to Gaius' chambers, Merlin?" she supposed intently. "You know Father arranged with Arthur for your new room."
"Gaius'll…be looking for me," he protested; each word slurring more heavily than the last.
"Yes. I'm sure he will. Still, you're staying here. I can explain to Gaius in the morning. Best you get used to your new arrangements." She smirked at him in a warm yet confident manner. While she wished they could have just consummated their bond right then and there, once more she gave ground to propriety….
…but just some ground, mind you….
She guided him past her own door and toward the next one adjoining it. I hope Persephone straightened things out in here! She pulled the latch and eased the door open to find that the room had been mostly made up…
…all but the bed that is….
"Wh…where are we?" he asked; his mind racing confusedly. "Ain't your…chamber. Can't…sleep…with…you yet."
She frowned while fighting down her desire. Not that I don't want to. Remember the bigger picture! She sucked in a difficult breath as she asserted her self-control. "Not yet," she advised. "This was going to be your surprise tomorrow, Merlin. Still I know I can't get us across the castle alone on foot. My magic isn't strong enough yet either."
"Your smile…is magic," he noted.
She giggled at his half-sloshed compliment. Her cheeks blushed with streaks of crimson. At least he isn't cursing up a blue streak or worse! Somehow she got him to sit down in the teakwood chair by the writing table. "Give me a minute." She huffed while trying to push through her own buzz. Her eyes glowed. "A dhèanamh an leabaidh!"
In response, the fine canary yellow sheets slithered much like snakes across the mattress. The goose-down quilt topped them like a fine snow dusting the mountain tops. The pillows puffed invitingly at the head of said bed.
She smiled with satisfaction at her handiwork. While it was true that her magic was not yet strong enough to transport them across the mundane world as in the spiritual one, it could still feather a fine nest worthy of her beloved warlock. She turned to him. "All right—on your feet, Merlin." She tugged him to his feet.
"Wha'. Need…sleep. S'rry," he muttered contritely.
"It is not a great thing, Merlin." She helped him into the bed. She pulled the covers over him wrapping their softness about him. "Sleep well." Her lips gently kissed their blessing onto his brow. Her eyes glittered at him. "I love you. See you in the morning." With that, she turned and quickly departed to her own quarters and her own dreams.
Even as they slept on, other forces summoned them to something greater. Something greater indeed….