Chapter 58 [Dreamscape—Sometime Later]
A gentle warm breeze playfully billowed Merlin's hair and caressed his cheek. Lavender wafted into his nostrils. His ears instinctively picked up on something rustling nearby. Still he dozed on; his mind occupied with dreams of bliss and pleasure….
…of that future to be forged with Mithian….
Emrys, a soft feminine voice called to him.
"Mmm…na' now. Want to sleep," he protested not wanting to heed the call.
EMRYS! GET UP! the Voice snapped at him.
His eyes snapped open. He nearly jumped from the uptick in the command's tone. He breathed heavily while sitting up suddenly. He flexed his fingers and rubbed his temples. Surprisingly he felt no hangover or aftereffects. "Sorry. Just need a minute to wake up."
Admittedly he swore the voice sounded familiar…
"Oh Merlin. You never change," the woman in question giggled in spite of herself.
As his surroundings blurred into focus, he swore he was in the midst of a giant meadow. Grasses almost as tall as he rustled in the breeze. The purple flowers bloomed at his feet along with another plant with greeny leafy vines and small scented white flowers. Overhead the sun shone down warmly in its light blue sea.
"We do have to speak, Merlin, when you get your bearings," she advised.
As she said those words, he finally recognized the speaker. "Freya?" He turned to his left to find his deceased former love watching him intently. He stiffened at the sight of her emerald robe and priestess' necklace. He could see the staff in her right hand used to assist in her spell craft.
"Yes, Merlin. Come. Mithian and the others are waiting," she advised while carefully assisting him to his feet. "You did have to drink so much, didn't you?" She sighed heavily. "You're going to pay for that in the morning."
"It was a party."
"Yes. Sir Gawain provokes that, does he not? I suppose you have a pass this time," she relented although the raised eyebrow offered a gentle rebuke against that particular tendency.
He rolled his eyes as they entered a small oak grove. "So what's with your robes? Are you back permanently?"
"She will explain shortly," Freya advised cryptically. "I wasn't the one who woke you up just now."
"It didn't sound like you," he recalled. "So who?"
Come forth, Emrys, and see me for yourself. It is past time we should meet, the voice noted. Freya, guide him into the center.
Yes, Milady, the priestess concurred. She assisted him through the initial ring of trees and into what seemed like a pristine clearing similar to the meadow outside.
"Nothing here," he deduced.
"Because you're muddled, Merlin, by that grog," she groused. Her eyes glowed and she waved a hand.
On command, a few wisps of mists wafted into the clearing. They collected into a floating gray mass in the center before expanding to encompass them as well.
"Relax, Merlin. We are being transported to another part of this dream realm," she assured him. "Mithian is already there. It will be all right. Now step forward."
He nodded hesitantly. His mind instinctively worried for his fiancée. He had no idea what awaited him on the other side or if she was all right for that matter. Still he had to find out. "All right," he relented and stepped through the mists.
A bright light dazzled his eyes for a second before they could readjust. As they did so, he noted a ring of giant granite slabs around himself—a druidic worship ring. Sitting around the circle on their own respective stone seats, Talesin, Mordred and Mithian discussed something intently. Kilgarrah listened intently before eyeing his charge entering into their midst. "Merlin. It is about time."
"You're awake!" Mithian realized before getting up and walking over to him. "Do you know what this is?"
"No. I was about to ask you since you have more experience with this stuff," he admitted.
She frowned. "Not that much more, Merlin. I didn't do this. What is this?"
It is my domain, Mithian of Nemeth. Welcome. The triple goddess strode regally into view. Her robes rustled ever so slightly in the breeze. Her eyes focused on each of the individuals before herself. I appreciate you heeding my call, my Children. We have a grave matter before us.
What would that be, Milady? We have defeated the dark forces. You have assisted us in containing Morgana Pendragon and the priestess Morgause, Talesin queried respectfully.
True. You have reset the balance for the moment through your devotion and service. Still the repression of those qualities in your realms cannot be allowed to stand. Even now, several of your kings and queens descend upon Camelot to discuss rescinding the ban on magic and my faith. Those of you who sit at the table will have a singular opportunity to sway them to do so. Morgana Pendragon did much damage to the people and bred mistrust. It is for you, Mithian, Merlin and Freya to set the balance right, the goddess pointed out.
What will Freya do? I'm adjusting to being Mithian's consort but is she just a priestess? Merlin queried. He turned to Freya, "I didn't mean any disrespect."
"It is quite all right, Merlin,"Freya assured him. "By the goddess' grace, I am now the High Priestess of Avalon. Morgana abused her prerogative in that regard. While her goal of preserving the old religion was right, her means and methods hurt us all."
Quite true, my Priestess, the goddess concurred. It is for all of you to plant the seed of a united Albion. The first goal however is tolerance for our kind. Avalon must be allowed at the table. I have instructed the Sidhe to be less hostile toward your outer realm. Still you should all be aware that they do have their role in the greater scheme of things. A balance must be restruck, my Children. It is for you to help that to occur.
But how can we sway things on our own? Our own actions can be turned against us. My brother, Kay, blamed Merlin for simply trying to use his abilities to help us all, Mithian pointed out.
If I may, Milady, we should all strive to understand the outcomes of our magic, Kilgarrah interjected sagely. I have often lectured Emrys thusly during the last decade. What happened these last two weeks is unfortunately normal. Yes, Emrys, you do great good. You need, however, to mitigate the side effects of that good so that it does not disrupt other events around you.
Merlin frowned and bowed his head. "We didn't have time to mitigate things! Mithian was about to be burned at the stake! There would have been more bloodshed both at Whitgate and Camelot! I contained both cases. Sometimes a display is needed."
Is it, Emrys? The goddess scratched her chin. I do not doubt that there were many lives saved as you argue. And yes, men sometimes need a reminder of the greater powers that be out there. Still, as we move forward, such intimidation tactics can be a hindrance. In terms of the rescue, think of how your friends rescued you through covert methods. Perhaps you might try the same? In terms of opening the gates, perhaps destroy the bars holding the gates shut instead of blowing them open? It makes no sense to summon a hurricane to dispense with a gnat. True, it accomplishes the task. On the other hand, it also inspires fear. Those like Morgana Pendragon would use that to their own ends. Inspire trust, love and cooperation not fear and mistrust.
Remember how you rescued me from the bounty hunter? Freya offered him. Use more subtlety. None of us are criticizing *what* you did. Rather it's *how* you did it. We should all strive to focus the intensity of our magic. That is all she is saying.
As I have told you many times, be aware of your surroundings. Too often you and the rest of us have focused on immediate outcomes without knowing or perhaps not caring how those events affect the future, Kilgarrah reminded Merlin but everyone else as well.
But, Merlin, without you, we wouldn't be here either, Mithian assured her beloved. You're now a Prince because of your deeds, your heart, my love and yes, our magic. Let's take what Father would inspire further.
Well spoken, Mithian. Thank you, the goddess acknowledged with a gentle bow of the head. Our time here draws to a close. I will call you back here from time to time as need arises. For now, however, endeavor to seek an understanding for our kind amongst ordinary mortals. That time comes now. Thank you for coming. May you have strength and courage in the coming days. With that she waved her hands.
The mists enveloped them all pulling them back toward their respective places.
Perhaps the first battle was over but another important task was at hand, it seemed…..