Chapter 67 [That Night]
Merlin reclined on his bedroll and glanced up at Nocturne's production overhead. He marveled at how the stars and moon cast their gentle light back down on him. He relaxed at the gentle droning of the woods around the campsite from the animals and birds. He imagined Reywalda's gentle presence close by.
Not far away, Perceval and Lancelot kept the watch. They sat by the fire each peering out into the darkness. Occasionally one or both would get up from their perch and walk about the area making sure that all was well.
Merlin sighed. His nerves flared over the impending transition. His thoughts still lingered over the others bowing to him before dinner. How am I good enough for that? I'm just a warlock. I want to serve people not lead them! How does Arthur do this? He glanced over toward Mithian's sleeping form. I still wonder how I'm good enough for her.
Merlin, please. She slowly opened her eyes before continuing over the link, Stop doubting yourself! She turned over so that she faced him. Relax and follow me.
Follow? You mean the other place…?
She arched an eyebrow. I promised right? And as we agreed…chaste arrangements. She went quiet for a couple of heartbeats and then nodded to herself. We're going to have some company there…at least for a couple of minutes. Nothing bad. Someone wants to talk with us before we reach Whitgate.
Someone? Merlin's nerves surged within his chest.
Trust that it will be all right. Close your eyes and go with the flow. I won't let anything happen, she promised while doing those very things.
He exhaled a deep breath forcing himself to relax. He focused on the woods and the sounds around himself.
As Mithian said, Emrys, relax and do what you need to. I am ever watchful, Reywalda chimed in.
With that, he relaxed enough that the white light washed over him sweeping him away from there…..
[Dreamscape]
Merlin's nose twitched under the gentle warm breeze's feather soft touch. His hair rustled softly. His mind dreamed of his angelic Princess….
…until a rude hand disrupted that bliss with an insistent shaking of his shoulder….
"Merlin, come on. It's time. Open your eyes."
He stirred unwillingly. He was so enjoying the dream. "It's so nice. Stop…."
"Reality calls, Merlin," the voice now familiar giggled. "You'd best not be thinking what I think you are." A snort punched at his ears. "I can't believe you! Honestly!"
He forced his eyes open to find Mithian kneeling over him with a disapproving look on her face. "What? And you don't think about me like that?"
She rolled her eyes. "I know when to have such thoughts. Time for business."
"All right," he relented although he still would insist that she wasn't so pure despite her protestations to the contrary. He sat up slowly to find that they were in the midst of an endless prairie of flowing grasses. Overhead the clouds meandered through their sea of robin egg blue and around the sun. "We do have an early wake up, you know."
"I am very well aware of that, Merlin." She sighed. "Master Talesin?"
"Thank you, Mithian," the elderly wizard expressed from the stump he was sitting on. His piercing eyes had observed their whole interchange yet he'd remained composed. "Forgive me for interrupting your bliss, my friends. We should speak before you reach the capital."
"Is anything wrong?" Merlin queried anxiously not wanting another emergency at that point.
"Not outwardly no. King Rodor and his council have reestablished a measure of control and reassured the people. I just want you both to be aware of the perceptions toward magic. Even if they are willing to accept it, the people are still unnerved by the recent sieges and your efforts to rescue them. As the King himself told you both, be mindful of how you present yourselves tomorrow. You already have made a positive step in this regard, Emrys, by wearing our colors," Talesin recounted.
"Thanks for that at least. So how will we proceed?" Merlin asked; his mind struggling to digest the report.
"The King has appointed me as your advisor in that regard. Laws needed to be reviewed. Some will be struck. Others revised. Still more proposed and voted on by the council. Unlike Morgana, we must present a positive yet united front. You both have a dual role now as mundane rulers and sorcerers. Emrys, you are to be our leader. I am to show you how to get there. Freya and Kilgarrah will assist as needed. Still it is for you both to work in this regard," Talesin continued.
"And we shall," she agreed. "Is it possible to distribute coins or food to the people? We do care about them, Master Talesin."
"Preparations are being made for these things," Talesin noted. "Just keep your entrance as normal as possible for now, my friends. The people are aware of who and what you are. The restraint you showed at Camelot is essential now, Emrys."
"Okay. That I can do," Merlin agreed.
"Splendid." The elderly mage leaned heavily on his staff. "Then I shall see you later today in Whitgate, my friends." He bowed to them before vanishing into the grasses.
"This is definitely going to take some getting used to," Merlin noted ruefully.
"He's only trying to help us, Merlin. And he's right," she declared. "We do need to be more careful of the ramifications." She shrugged and smiled. "We can learn together, right?"
"Absolutely." He embraced her. "Nobody I'd rather learn with."
"Nor I," she concurred. "We just need to work on that ruling-life balance, don't we? Service doesn't leave much time for enjoyment, I fear."
"No but we'll whittle our moments out of it, Mithian," he vowed. "Just know I'll never stop trying."
"And I'll be counting on that. Meantime you know I won't either." She smiled and placed her head against his chest listening to his heartbeat. "My life line." Her eyes sparkled into his.
"And that sparkle in your eyes is mine." His lips brushed Amor's gentle art across her forehead. "I love you."
"And I you. See you back there. The sun's about to come up," she advised.
"Okay. See you there," he agreed. He focused again seeking the sylvan sounds of their real life backdrop.
As he did, the white light washed over them both sending them back for the last stage of their journey….