Chapter 66 [That Evening—Just Before the Camelot/Nemeth Border]
Much as with the expedition to free Rodor three weeks earlier, the traveling party put a great deal of the trail behind them on that day. They managed to maintain a careful yet rapid pace with minimal breaks and a short meal break at mid-day. Still they did take time to keep an eye on their surroundings in case anyone was foolish enough to attempt an ambush….
…foolish in that they'd face Arthur, his knights, the two resident sorcerers, Kilgarrah (who made periodic passes over the trail throughout the day) and Freya (who watched from Avalon)….
Perhaps it was as close to a secure patrol as one could hope….
After the group made camp, Merlin scavenged for firewood along Gedref's edge. He recalled this forest from the previous expedition of course. Accordingly, he'd already gone to the stream to refill the water bags and staked out his favorite spot in the group's place….
…the spot where Mithian had attempted to sleep on the previous trip through….
Wish we could just sleep in each other's arms. We aren't going to try anything. Arthur though is duty bound to make sure nothing can happen until the wedding. He sighed while picking up a few branches. He felt something unique both inside and outside of himself….
…it was a comforting warmth….
"What?" He set the kindling on the ground and surveyed his surroundings to find nothing out of the ordinary. Other than the breeze rustling the leaves and an occasional rabbit or squirrel foraging for food, the space remained empty about him.
Still the air seemed charged…not in a threatening sense mind you.
His brow quirked. Mithian, is everything all right back at camp?
Of course. What's wrong? Don't tell me the kindling is fighting with you now, she retorted adding a teasing barb at the end to relax the mood.
Nothing that I can see. It's just a strange warm feeling. It doesn't feel threatening. It's just…there…. he tried to assess.
I'll be right there.
He frowned. Terrific. Now I have her stirred up. My nerves are getting the best of me.
Your senses are getting more acute, Merlin. It is nothing to be ashamed of, Kilgarrah assured him. I am not far from you and the others. Perhaps though I could bear Mithian and you to Whitgate?
I was hoping to have a night under the stars with her…not in that sense…but…. Merlin declined.
It would matter little if it were *in that sense* at this point, Merlin. You two are bonded save for a mortal ceremony and some ritual. Still you are being wise in respecting King Rodor's feelings at this point, the Great Dragon noted sagely.
Kilgarrah, do you see anything? she called through the link.
No, Mithian, although you should be able to feel the energy in these woods, Kilgarrah indicated.
I do. Just a minute, you two. She came into the clearing to find her Warlock standing beside a couple of armfuls of wood. "What's going on? You're acting strangely."
"Sorry to get you out here. It's not anything bad. There's just something oddly warm and friendly about these woods and…" Merlin started to explain.
She nodded. "I understand. The legends of our realm speak about the enchantment of these woods. How they protect those who care about them and us." She smiled at him; her eyes sparkling like the sun on the water's surface. "The woods sense your heart and purpose, Merlin. They protected you before. They are welcoming you now."
"Too bad they didn't stop Morgana from attacking me," he lamented.
"You didn't die either. In fact you miraculously recovered in time to save Father and me." She kissed his cheek. "And now we have each other."
"We do," he concurred while gazing deeply into her eyes as well.
Her eyes went wide. "Merlin, who's that?" She pointed over his left shoulder.
He turned to find a mysterious woman with long brown hair observing them. She wore a white robe and a garland of holly interwoven through small branches of some sort on her head. "Pardon me but we mean you no harm."
"Of course you do not." The newcomer leaned heavily on her staff as she bowed to them. "Forgive me for startling you both, Emrys and Mithian. I am Reywalda, the guardian of these woods. Welcome to Gedref."
"I've heard stories about you since I was a child," Mithian realized. "Lady, thank you for allowing us to camp. We shall be gone again by morning."
"No hurry, Princess. As you've already presumed, I am watching over you all…even your dragon friend. You have our blessing for a fruitful life, my friends. Just continue to honor us and yourselves. Do for others. Perhaps a shelter of sorts for weary travelers such as yourselves? It is a thought." Reywalda smiled and bowed once more. "Once more welcome to your realm, my friends. May we serve you well." With that, she disappeared into the gathering dusk.
"Not every day you get a welcome like that," Merlin observed in surprise.
"You see? The universe sends us another sign." She smirked at him while motioning to the wood on the ground. "Now let's get that wood back to camp. Arthur probably thinks we've absconded by now."
He grinned mischievously at her.
She rolled her eyes. "As tempting as that is, Father would skin you alive." She shrugged. "We only have another two days and nights to wait, Merlin. I promise it will be worth it."
"I know. Just wanted to get a rise out of you," he snarked back.
She snorted incredulously. "Let's get that wood back." She shoved him good naturedly. "Honestly!"
His eyes sparkled knowing that they were indeed home…and hadn't even reached the castle yet….
[Fifteen Minutes Later—Camp Site]
The happy couple paced themselves allowing views of the forest's pristine beauty. They allowed Reywalda's positive energies to buoy their spirits. They even discovered a few more sizeable branches and boughs lying on the ground for the fire back at camp.
Needless to say they had everything they could want.
"Are you taking long enough, Merlin? You know they're going to send a search party presuming the worst," Mithian reminded him.
"If I was still his servant, yeah. We're all right," he assured her. "We're almost there." He guided her through the trees and back into the campsite. There they found the others talking next to their bedrolls and camping supplies.
"There you are, Merlin!" Arthur realized upon seeing the couple in question. "We'd thought you both had fallen into a bog or something."
"No such luck, Arthur," Merlin replied with a bit of humor. "We…took the long way back here. We did find more wood however."
"He found more wood," Camelot's King groused. "We're waiting to cook dinner and you take your time."
"Some of us at least were worried when Mithian left to find you," Gaius pointed out.
The two sorcerers looked at each other and then at their companions. By experience, they knew better than to talk about Reywalda at that point….
…best not to risk an open fight with one's hostess for that matter….
"Yes, well, I found him trying to find the perfect branch," Mithian quipped with a smirk toward her fiancé. Just go along with it.
He sighed, "Well I did bring back enough to get us through the night." He set the armful of wood next to the spot in question.
"And a goodly bunch it is," Gwen agreed from where she had broken open the supplies. Beside her Perceval and Elyan assisted her in slicing fresh meat and fruit for an evening meal. "Why don't you both pick out your spots for tonight?"
"Separately," Leon suggested with a reminder not to invite trouble.
"We are well aware of the circumstances, Sir Leon, but thank you," Mithian expressed with a bit of sharpness in her voice.
Besides there's always your dreamscape, right? Merlin noted hopefully over their link.
She giggled and arched an eyebrow at him. You are positively evil. She considered it for a minute before relenting, All right but only if we remain dressed. She grabbed her bedroll from her horse's back and set it on the ground about ten paces away. She motioned toward another spot four paces away from that. "That looks good?"
He set his bedroll down and unwound it. "Perfect."
Merlin, Mithian, riders approach from the west. Lancelot, Britomart, Gawain, Ywain and Malodius have joined us as well, Kilgarrah advised.
"Seems our friends never cease to amaze, do they?" Merlin supposed.
"Nor does Father. He sent us an escort," she concurred before announcing, "We're about to have company, Everyone! Our friends from Nemeth aren't far away!"
"Really? The dragon tell you?" Arthur queried with a mix of sarcasm and quipiness.
"Yes, Arthur, he did," Merlin responded evenly. He looked down the path just as the first rhythmic beats echoed to their ears. His eyes glowed as he cast a tracking spell to ascertain their remaining distance away. Then he added, "I'd give them about another ten minutes." He set about breaking sticks and setting the kindling in a bare area away from everyone's things. His eyes glowed again. "Teine!"
On cue, the flames sprung up consuming the sticks.
Merlin saw Gaius arching his eyebrow at him. What? I don't have to hide any more. Why is that such a big deal? He shrugged and fed more sticks to the flames.
Don't let it bother you, Merlin, Mithian soothed. It's not like you did everything by magic.
I know. I understand what he's getting at. Still why rub sticks together for minutes if I can just make a fire? Merlin proposed.
My thoughts exactly, she agreed.
At that moment, a group of Nemeth's knights on horseback along with Malodius pulled up beside the camp. They each quickly dismounted and tied their horses to the nearby trees before approaching their peers.
"Greetings, my Friends. On behalf of King Rodor, welcome back to Nemeth," Britomart wished the visitors. She bowed to Camelot's visiting monarchs before finding her Prince and Princess close by.
"Indeed. The honor is ours to escort you to Whitgate, Friends," Ywain emphasized.
Gawain snorted at his stiff compatriot's manner. "Hey, Guys. That's after we liven things up a bit." He motioned to the wagon following closely behind them. "Our King sent along food and wine for the trip."
"The food's great, Gawain. The wine…well…." Merlin grimaced while recalling the hangover.
"In moderation, Merlin," Mithian assured her fiancé. "We'll each take a half of a goblet full, Sir Gawain."
"She's ordering you around already?" Elyan sassed.
"I'm looking out for him, Sir Elyan. Perhaps when you find a woman who will care for you like that, you will understand," Mithian retorted firmly.
Before the other knights could respond one way or the other, Arthur intervened, "Men, King Rodor has graciously extended us hospitality. I will not have any of you making insinuations. Let us take some of the wonderful feast he has extended."
"The roast turkey is great. I took the bird myself. Took them long enough to make it though," Gawain reported.
"Ever the impatient one," Britomart noted wryly. "Good things take time to happen. Don't forget that." She straightened her tunic out making sure it and her surcoat looked all right over her chain mail.
"I do get hungry, you know," Gawain reminded her.
"A fact I've heard about from the tavern keeper since our return," she retorted with a bit of mirth in her voice and a raised eyebrow.
Gawain sighed and looked to Merlin. "Is this what you meant about learning and all that?"
Merlin shrugged. "I'm right there with you. This is still new to me as well."
"And yet you're jumpin' in with both feet. Warlock, new knight, Prince of the Realm and husband too. Don't know about all that," Gawain conceded.
"Speaking of the new knight role, don't we have something for Prince Merlin, Sir Gawain?" Lancelot reminded him.
"Oh yeah! That!" Gawain walked back over to the wagon. "Don't say we never do anything for you, Merlin."
"Or to him," Mithian jabbed.
"Pardon me, Princess, if we include the Prince in our activities? If I didn't respect him, it wouldn't happen," Gawain retorted as he rooted through the bags on it. He grabbed one medium sized one and lugged it over to Merlin. "For you, Your Majesty." He did a saucy bow.
"I may have you working with the people on their thrown rotten vegetables for that," Merlin teased while glancing at Arthur.
"What the blimey devil?" Gawain queried.
Arthur chuckled. "He's referring to the stocks, Gawain. Might do you some good."
More than a few stifled chuckles and coughs echoed throughout the clearing at that point.
Ywain cleared his throat. Even if he concurred with Arthur's assessment, he wasn't about to say it in front of the companions. "I do believe the King's presentation is in order?"
Britomart motioned with her eyes toward Merlin.
"All right! Geez! Keep your shirts on already. Guy tries to have some fun," Gawain complained.
Merlin smirked at him. "It's all right. Let's see what you…" He opened the bag and went silent upon seeing its contents. He pulled out a glittering set of chain mail and laid it out flat on his pulled out bedroll. Then he admired the new tunic with Nemeth's colors on it.
"Rodor has a sword he wants to give you in person," Lancelot explained.
Merlin marveled at the gift. "I'm not even there yet and he gave me this?"
"You're the Prince and a knight, Sir Merlin. It's Father's way of reminding you of our responsibilities," Mithian explained.
"That is true, Princess, however Merlin is correct. This is quite the gift indeed," Gaius pointed out.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Merlin, quit acting like a girl and go put it on. Let's see how you look in it."
"You would have to start something," Merlin cracked to Gawain.
"Me? I'm just the stock boy, you know," the irreverent knight shot back without missing a beat or the chance to smirk at his friend.
Merlin undid his belt before setting it and Caliburn off to the side. Then he pulled on the chain mail over his clothes. The tunic went over it.
"Allow me?" Mithan proposed while holding his belt up. "I want the finishing touches, Merlin." She grinned at him. Getting a nod, she pulled the belt into place and secured the buckle. Then she took a step back and surveyed him over with approval. "You'll do."
"Just 'you'll do'? Really?" Merlin queried incredulously.
Mithian shrugged and allowed him a not so gentle snort. "You'll do for me." She let her eyes sparkle into his. "Let's get some dinner." We can talk more later, my Warlock. I am *so* proud of you.
I look forward to it, he responded through the link.
You'd better, she noted with another arch of the eyebrow.
"Welcome to the fellowship, my Prince. It is an honor," Ywain announced.
"And now the bootlicking starts. Careful, Ywain, that nose is turning color," Gawain cracked.
"He is our Prince, Gawain, even if he hasn't been crowned yet," Lancelot disagreed. "As that and our friend, I am proud to echo Ywain's assessment. Besides the look suits him. Finally he is recognized for his achievements. Before we eat, Knights of Nemeth, it's time to do our reverence." He got down on one knee.
Malodius roared majestically before bowing his maned head respectfully.
Britomart, Gawain and Ywain followed Lancelot's example and kneeled before Merlin.
Arthur nodded to his knights; his eyes motioning them to kneel as well. Even if he'd never admit it outwardly, pride swelled in his chest over his friend's soon-to-be formally achieved status.
"Hail, Prince Merlin of Nemeth!" Leon declared. "Knights of Camelot, kneel before our friend and ally!"
As one, the knights and Gaius got down on one knee as well.
Merlin stared incredulously. He only wanted to be part of the fellowship as Ywain suggested. He wanted to be at Mithian's side. The whole Prince rank still overwhelmed him to be honest. "Thank you but I'm not…."
"As Lancelot said, you aren't crowned yet, Merlin. Still King Rodor has made his intentions known. So has Princess Mithian in that regard," Arthur cut him off. "You are their Prince. You might start by asking them to rise."
Merlin nodded almost feeling dumb about the whole experience. He motioned with his hands for his friends to stand once more. "Thank you, Everyone. I'm…well…sorry…I'm getting used to this." He blushed with embarrassment.
"Your humility is nothing to be embarrassed about, Merlin. It's what makes you what you are. It also is what makes you a great man for the role," Gwen declared before embracing her friend.
"I had great role models, Gwen, even if one acts like a prat some of the time at least," Merlin expressed while giving Arthur a smirk.
Gwen giggled warmly in agreement while evoking a nod from Mithan as well.
"Must be because of certain idiots around me," Arthur insisted while returning a smile of his own. "On that note, if you're done, Prince Merlin, shall we allow our subjects their fill and not waste your liege's meal?"
"Of course!" Merlin announced. "Let's get our plates and eat! We should rise early so as not to keep King Rodor waiting. Thank you." He took a fork and gently broke off a piece of meat for himself and another for Mithian. Setting each on a plate, he handed one to her. "For you, the first plate."
"It is an honor indeed," Mithian acknowledged. "And I have some fruit for you." She handed him a cluster of grapes and an apple from the bowl at her side. "We have to take care of each other. Correct?"
"Always." Not caring who saw them, he stole a kiss from her cheek.
Perhaps it was the day before their arrival but the festivities were already upon them. Merlin's new role already had started.
In such ways, life served him another notice of his growing importance….