Chapter 63 [The Picnic Spot]
[A/N: Okay, maybe it's not officially called that but it seems that way. LOL!]
Merlin stopped his new steed at the designated finishing point. As always, he admired the view from the plateau. The cool wind rustled the trees' green canopies and his dark hair. He focused on the energies crackling through the woods and from the earth. He smiled almost serenely exhaling a deep relaxing breath.
Arthur was right. The ride was just what he needed to ease his tension.
Arthur….
The Warlock surveyed his surroundings. He listened intently. His eyes scanned the surrounding area at least as much as the space between the trees would allow. He murmured a scrying spell allowing his eyes to glow bright yellow. The results left him grinning ear to ear.
Arthur remained at least a mile and a half away.
"Good boy, Valiant. We left the Prat in the dust." Merlin patted his horse and stroked the latter's mane. He admired the feat that the latter had pulled off…leaving Raeswold, Arthur's prize stallion, in the dust. Admittedly it felt great not to have to defer to Arthur due to being the servant….
…for the first time, he raced the King as an equal….
…and won….
He grinned in satisfaction while making a carrot appear in his hand. "Here you go." He let Valiant eat the treat gently and then stroked the horse's mane again.
At this point, Raeswold's hooves echoed to his ears from down trail. Louder and louder with each impact, they approached his position gradually.
He grabbed his water sack and sipped a gulp of cold refreshment from it as he waited; its passage quenching his thirst. Then he set back on the saddle bag and waited some more.
You won, didn't you? Mithian supposed over the link.
He could almost feel the saucy smirk from there. I did. He isn't even in sight yet. Valiant is something else! I need to thank King Rodor for giving him to us.
He'll appreciate it although he knows you've more than earned the right to ride Valiant. He's quite the horse, is he not? You'll need to fill me in later. By the way, Merlin, a good Prince knows not to rub it in too much. Be a good sport, she agreed with a little barb at the end.
You know how long I've waited for this? he sighed again in defeat.
I can imagine. Still, remember how you felt during that picnic? I stopped him from moving those things around for a reason. You deserved dignity and respect then. Arthur does now. Of course, a *little teasing* is in order. She went silent for a few heartbeats before continuing, Gwen congratulates you as well. Remember, my Warlock, we don't want to knock the Once and Future Prat's ego overly much.
I'll let Gwen have her fun too. Do enjoy the roses. The view up here is spectacular as always, he admired.
I can see it through your eyes. Go ahead. Take a glance through mine, she suggested.
He nodded channeling his concentration into the link. A slight buzzing stirred his brain. Her aura permeated his senses in a welcome sense encompassing but not overwhelming them.
A white flash blinded him sweeping him away…..
[Linkscape—Camelot Garden]
Despite the distance, Merlin's senses clearly perceived the surroundings in that place. The roses and liliacs' fragrance filled his nostrils. He could taste the gentle flavor of Camelot's best vintage on his tongue. His eyes beheld the cornucopia of blossoms in their full glorious spectrum of color and glory. His ears could detect the bees' buzzing about their labors.
Enjoy it? Just a second.
He could see Gwen smile and wave in greeting to him.
Tell her I say hello as well. Thanks,he indicated allowing himself to enjoy the garden's ambiance. Then he felt something jarring him. I think the Prat's telling me he's here.
Do be the polite guest and don't keep him waiting too long now. See you later, she giggled; the pleasant peals ringing gently in his ears before the link closed again.
And with another flash of light, that scene closed off as well…..
[Picnic Site—During the Merthian 'shared view']
Arthur cantered into the clearing in disbelief. He'd raced Raeswold in tournaments against the finest of other kingdoms' steeds. His trusty horse had shredded vast distances to guide him and the knights into battle in record time. Usually it wasn't a contest between his horse and the others….
….until now…
The friendly race had started off well for Camelot's monarch. He'd broken away at the start amassing a five length lead over the first half mile. He'd figured on teaching the new Prince a thing or two about racing royal steeds….
…until Merlin's bloody horse exploded past Raeswold in a silver streak leaving the prize stallion in the dust…
Unbelievable! He had to use magic! Arthur frowned as Raeswold finished climbing the ridge trail. He'd lost sight of Merlin over a half hour earlier. Despite his ego's bruising, he had watched along the dirt path in case his friend had hurt Valiant by sprinting too fast and hard. Not seeing anything, he kept going through the primeval forests, the punctuating clearings and finally up the steep ridge.
When he broke through the final stand of trees in front of the view point, he finally caught view of Valiant tied to a nearby tree munching away on something—a carrot he imagined more than likely. He pulled up on Raeswold's reins. "Whoa!"
Valiant looked up at the newly arrived horse and rider curiously as if wondering where the fire was frankly. His eyes narrowed at them before going back to the carrot.
Arthur dismounted and tied Raeswold's reins to another oak tree. "This is too bloody convenient." He stalked around the area. The range of his emotions waned away from fear for his friend to being ticked off over the game at hand. "Merlin! MERLIN!" Then he spied his friend standing about ten feet from the ridge's edge….
…almost on the exact spot of the ill-fated picnic years earlier….
Why is he mooning over that? He's engaged to Mithian. Was he really jealous back then? Arthur frowned at the thought. No…not back then. He couldn't stand her at that point. So what is this? He guardedly approached his friend. "MERLIN! WHAT THE DEVIL?"
The Warlock stood stock still moving nary an inch either way save for his face. His glowing eyes stared at something far off. A dreamy lovestruck smile stuck across his face. The occasional chuckle escaped his mouth.
Arthur shook his head in dismay. From the expression on the latter's face, he didn't know whether some Lorelei had entranced his friend. If Morgana hadn't been dealt with, he'd suspect her role in this turn of events. His eyebrow arched in consternation….
…he definitely was not used to being ignored like this….
He slapped at the new Prince's shoulder and then rubbed it furiously. "Merlin, come on! Snap out of it! Speak to me!"
"Hmm? Oh, Arthur, you're finally here," Merlin realized almost drowsily; his senses reconnecting with the outer world after being with Mithian on the link. "Sorry. I was in the moment."
"Moment?" Arthur glanced around at the area they were standing in. He considered the view but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "I see nothing of note! Quit acting like such a girl already!"
"You wouldn't." Merlin shrugged somehow managing not to laugh (at least not outwardly) at his friend's consternation. Still his eyes twinkled with mischievous amusement over the situation.
"Then enlighten me. I don't have magic. Remember?" Arthur pressed.
Not wanting to reveal the link he shared with his beloved, Merlin focused instead on the components within the recent visionary experience, "I reached out to to the world. Energy crackles all around us. I enjoyed the contact with nature, the animals, plants and elements. It's amazing!"
"Such as using magic to boost your horse's speed? Bet that was amazing too," Arthur supposed.
"Valiant beat Raeswold cleanly. I wanted a normal race with no advantages either way, Arthur. Guess we all have what it takes?" Merlin assured his friend.
"Yes, Merlin, we do." Arthur considered the other man with a new eye. For a moment, he fought off a feeling of intimidation and then one of envy. While he was an accomplished king, husband, statesman and warrior, his former servant was emerging into those worlds in his own right….
…on top of being the greatest sorcerer of their time already….
"I can't believe I never put it together." Seeing the other roll his eyes, Arthur put his hands up reassuringly. "That wasn't meant as an accusatory remark, Merlin. I'm just marveling at how you kept us all in the dark."
"Kind of goes with the territory. If I wanted to stay at court especially with your father on the throne, I had to. Uther forced me to stay hidden. What happened with Freya and then the Witch Finder compounded that," the Warlock elaborated.
"So it forced you, Gaius and Mordred to stay hidden then?" Arthur theorized.
"Yes. I didn't want to hide what I could do from you. I was going to tell you that day at Ealdor," Merlin continued. "Your reaction when Will covered for me pushed me back into disguise-mode you might say. I guess it comes down to which face you need to show the world, right? Like when you're negotiating a treaty or such?"
Arthur nodded at the insight. "You present the reality you want others to see rather than everything at once. The rest was just an act."
"Not all of it," Merlin admitted. "Being at court is overwhelming for me some times. You've seen Ealdor. Imagine what a gigantic leap it was for me to head for the big castle from the village. It seemed so big. If not for Gaius and Kilgarrah, I might've ended up like Morgana did." He took a penitent breath lamenting the strategy which ultimately drove her to darkness. "She wanted help, Arthur, but our fear kept us from giving it."
"And that's why she turned to Morgause?"
Merlin bowed his head. "Yes."
Arthur inhaled sharply at his friend's admission. "As you said before, our fear isolated her and drove her to that point. I guess that's our object lesson in all of this. While we have our respective kingdoms and their interests to consider, we should be able to accept each other's differences and stand as a united front."
"We all have our respective strengths to offer. We all learn from each other as well, I guess. I learned a lot about court affairs and ruling from watching you. Mithian and King Rodor have already given me a great deal of advice. The fact that Gwen can be such a great queen after being a servant and accepted as such gives me confidence. Gaius taught me to think for myself and do things like everyone else rather than just relying on magic. Humility has made me a better person. It allows me to empathize with others, I guess," Merlin proposed.
Arthur chuckled. "Once again, Merlin, your wisdom is showing. Nuture these moments. Those sparks of insight do you justice. Rodor holds my respect as he did my father's for a reason. He's been a just and noble ruler. For many years, he allowed magic even under the old law asking that people be responsible. He also kept his son in check as well." He shook his head. "Kay, on the other hand, was a hot head. That's what got him killed not you, Merlin."
Merlin shuddered still remembering the hate seething in Prince Kay's eyes even after freeing Nemeth. "I don't know how King Rodor did it."
"Give Mithian some credit. She's stood by her father for a long time. I suspect she's behind this sudden burst of confidence on your part." Arthur considered the plateau again. "She was trying to tell us both about your self-worth here."
"Yeah she was. It's where I first really noticed her as more than just a princess." Merlin smiled. "Somebody stands up for the little guy."
"Okay. Don't rub it in overly much, Merlin," Arthur noted but with a smile. "She'll make quite the queen for you one day."
"As Gwen does for you. Mithian and I have quite the role models to live up to," Merlin complimented.
"Thank you for saying that, Merlin. With recent events and the tensions between us, I appreciate that. Know that she and I are here for you both and Nemeth." Arthur extended his hand. "On all fronts—magic included."
"And we are too. United?" Merlin took the other's hand.
"United," Arthur concurred before giving the other royal a firm handshake confirming the accord.
Merlin beamed and half seriously proposed, "Perhaps we can hold a joint tournament at the wedding?"
"Now you're talking! You see, Merlin? You're already thinking like a warrior and a king," Arthur praised.
You're both talking like men of the realm on all fronts, Arthur Pendragon. The mists formed beside them.
"What in blazes?" Arthur exclaimed.
"It's all right, Arthur." Merlin grinned as Freya emerged onto the grass beside them. "Priestess Freya, good to see you."
"And you, Prince Merlin." She bowed gracefully to him. "In light of your breakthrough, I have something for each of you."
"Something for us both? Really?" Arthur queried in confusion.
"Why yes." She giggled almost impetuously while reaching back into the mists. From them, she produced two swords contained in special leather with gilded trim. "For Albion's greatest king and her leading sorcerer, the goddess grants you these. King Arthur, you once more wield Excalibur. May you wield it in worthy fashion. Prince Merlin, Caliburn is a matching blade in all qualities. Both are forged from the dragon's breath and the same source."
Thank you, Kilgarrah, Merlin expressed over the link.
You are most welcome. Remember it is a potent weapon. Use it wisely, the Great Dragon advised pointedly.
"I shall maintain a more fair and partial view this time, Priestess Freya," Arthur vowed firmly.
"While I still have a great deal to learn, I will be worthy of this gift," Merlin promised earnestly.
"We have no doubt about you both. Work toward the unification of the realms into a united Albion, my friends. If Avalon can be of assistance, we shall be so. Thank you and be blessed," she concluded before vanishing once more into the mists.
Arthur pulled his blade from its resting place and admired it in the mid-afternoon light. His eye scanned the runes along its side. It felt right in his hand once more. "I had wondered where this went to."
"I guess the triple goddess waited for you to accept magic and offer the old religion a place in the growing realm. Then our agreement, I guess, was the cue for her to send Freya to offer the swords," Merlin noted while admiring the blade in his friend's hand.
"You do have some interesting friends, Merlin. I have to give you that," Arthur conceded. "You aren't drawing your blade?"
"I've actually used your sword before against Morgause's undead army. I'll draw Caliburn when I'm ready." Merlin considered his weapon's ornate handle.
"What good is a blade if you don't use it?" Arthur posed incredulously.
"These blades aren't just run of the mill swords, Arthur. They were forged from the dragon's breath. I've already told you Excalibur's story. Caliburn is its matched twin. These are special." Merlin pulled a leather strap from his saddle bag. He tied each end to the scabbard's loops and pulled it onto his back. "There! That solves one problem."
"Careful, Merlin, one might mistake you for a warrior yet," Arthur teased warmly. "Come on. I think the ladies are waiting for us."
"I did promise Gwen I'd get you back in one piece after all," Merlin cracked back.
"Excuse me? You'd get me back….?" Arthur queried in disbelief; his ego rankling despite knowing it was simply banter. "Remember, Merlin, this is my kingdom."
"Yeah I know. Let's go," Merlin soothed as they rode at a brisk pace back toward Camelot.
Despite the exchanged barbs, Arthur allowed his friend a smile. His heart lightened over the peace and understanding they'd achieved in just that short time. Those things and the new weapons symbolized the looming future and their mutual roles in making it come to pass….
…yes Merlin would be leaving the castle and Camelot but something told Arthur he'd be a factor for a long time to come….
…a long time indeed….
[Author's Note 2—I hope everyone's enjoying this story as much as I am! I did have a question for all of you. I will be continuing it. Question is though…should I keep going with Refuge as a single long story or use it to launch a series of stories? Be interested to see what you all think. Thanks!]