Chapter 69 [Midday]
Despite Merlin's holding the group up ever so slightly, the traveling party made excellent time from the border. Maintaining a constant speed and only stopping once for a short water break, they were only a short distance away from Whitgate at that point.
Perhaps however, for the guests of honor, they had their own reasons to be anxious…..
Mithian sighed deeply; her heart aching with each hoofbeat. While she remained enthused about marrying Merlin (of course), she still missed Prince Kay. In addition, despite her father's reassurances to the contrary, her guilt over missing the funeral nagged her….
…as did her missing Kay's attempt to speak with her back in Camelot….
I can tap into these other places yet I can't even tell when my brother wants to speak with me? Really? She sulked noticeably. Her mind chastised itself for not being more considerate and the bigger person in that situation. He was your brother. How could you *not* feel his presence? Her eyes watered but she wouldn't upset the group on that special day.
"Milady, what is it?" Britomart queried.
"Nothing. Thank you, Lady Britomart, for your concern," Mithian dismissed the inquiry while attempting to keep a stiff upper lip.
Still the new knight and long time friend knew the Princess better than that. She shook her head. "Whatever it is, Princess, I'm sure it will be all right." She looked back toward Merlin and motioned toward his fiancée.
The warlock nodded; spurring Valiant onward to catch up to his beloved. "Mithian, are you all right?"
"Of course I am. I guess I'm just worked up about Father's preparations. The people need assistance more than we need feasts," she lied.
"And they shall get it, Mithian," Arthur called back to her. "Meantime we, your fellow monarchs, have contributed to your wedding feast. Besides I can't have Merlin eating a sandwich following the crowning."
"That's most kind, Arthur," Mithian expressed. Granted that issue did occupy her thoughts on some level but was not her primary focus at the moment at least.
"What else is there? We can handle it," Merlin assured her. He reached over and took her hand in his own. He smiled for her benefit.
"I don't want to ruin our day, Merlin."
"What good is getting married if we don't help each other with concerns?" Merlin countered earnestly.
She rolled her eyes knowing full well he could perceive her guilt-wracked anxiety. In addition she felt the others' eyes focusing squarely on them. Still she cherished how Her Warlock cared so much about her feelings. "It's about my brother. Merlin, we missed his funeral service. Besides he tried to speak to us when we were in Camelot. We missed it. I missed it. My own brother's last attempt and I missed it!" She sobbed as Regret stabbed at her heart.
Merlin considered his response carefully. He almost fired off a quick 'a lot was happening' type of response. Still he bit that shallow assessment back in his mouth before it slipped out. "I'm sure Kay understands. He knows we're thinking of him. We forgave him for his exiling us from Nemeth due to the circumstances. We made sure Meleagant didn't escape. Maybe we might visit his tomb and include him in our celebration? Perhaps keep an open chair at the table so he knows he's welcome?"
"An open chair? Merlin, really?" Elyan scoffed.
"I'll raise that with Father. You don't mind visiting Kay's site?" Mithian accepted.
"We're family, right? Well…I will be officially tomorrow afternoon. Still…." Merlin assured her. "Important thing is that it'll set your mind at ease. It will also set the greater order right."
"Merlin, I'm with Elyan. Kay's passed on. He's beyond all of this," Arthur pressed.
"I think it's just the right thing to do," Gwen disagreed while shooting her husband a disapproving look. "Perhaps we might accompany them."
Arthur ground his teeth. Still he knew the visit would be the appropriate thing to do. He simply nodded.
Lancelot pointed toward the clearing visible in the trees ahead. Through the spaces in the oaks and beeches, the tops of Nemeth's towers could be seen by the traveling party. "We're almost there!"
Malodius released a hearty roar announcing their presence for a couple of mile radius at least.
"Geez, Blood Lion, keep it down. Will ya?" Gawain groused.
"He has his reasons, Sir Gawain," Ywain countered defending his friend's action. "At least they know we're here. Princess Mithian, Prince Merlin, shall we?"
"We shall. Thank you, Sir Ywain. Lead us home, Malodius!" Mithian urged.
The lion sprinted ahead spurring the rest of the company onward. His paws picked up speed leaving increasing amounts of turf in their wake. He roared again alerting the watchmen of his and the others approaching.
Behind him, Merlin and Mithian rode just as hard leading the others onward. Not until they'd cleared the open gates did they slow down to a canter up the cobblestone passage toward the common and palace courtyard.
Much to everyone's relief, Nemeth's citizens cheered enthusiastically for their Prince and Princess. They threw rose petals and daisies before the group's path. A band of minstrels serenaded the couple with their best songs.
Mostly though, cries of "HUZZAH! HUZZAH! HAIL, PRINCESS MITHIAN AND PRINCE MERLIN! ALL HAIL RODOR'S HEIRS!"
Merlin trembled. I'm not crowned yet and people insist on calling me that.
You ARE that, Merlin! You've earned the title. You are my chosen. I am your chosen. Please relax, Mithian soothed albeit with some impatience in her voice.
Merlin nodded. He forced himself to look upward toward the cheering onlookers. Instead of the expected revulsion and hate, he only saw an outpouring of love from them. His ears imbibed the positive sounds in disbelief.
They know we have magic. They're cheering us? They're REALLY cheering us? He gulped anxiously before recalling Talesin's advice. His eyes instinctively flitted around his support group of sorts.
Mithian squeezed his hand gently in affirmation.
The knights nodded; their heads motioning to the crowd as one.
Gaius offered a small nod of the head. A proud smile and the arching eyebrow grew more noticeable with each heartbeat.
Merlin sucked in a deep breath. They're right. We're here. We can do this. I can do this. He allowed himself to ride the positive vibes. He bellowed, "THANK YOU, PEOPLE OF NEMETH! THANK YOU!" He waved to his future subjects gratefully and to acknowledge their value to him as people.
In likewise fashion, Mithian smiled to the people and offered a wave of her own. Knowing that Prince Kay would've encouraged her natural feelings in that regard, she let them see her enthusiasm and cheer in being back there with them all. "THANK YOU, ALL! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!"
The subjects' cheers grew even louder in response to his gestures. Their fists pumped in the air. A few toasted him with pints and wooden cups of ale. Their feet clomped in a supportive racket against the stones underfoot as the group slowly cantered toward the citadel.
Arthur waved supportively offering the Nemethians a thankful gesture for supporting his friends. Still, even if he wouldn't admit it at that point, the thought of Merlin being lauded in such a way swelled his chest with pride. They're accepting him. They really are!
For a full fifteen minutes, the parade continued along the winding cobblestone way. They passed through the old town and its markets, under the central arch, toward the new town and finally up to the granite steps at the citadel itself.
There Rodor, Talesin, his advisors and Hunith awaited the newly arrived group. While they had their own respective thoughts and feelings on various subjects, those folks all enjoyed the positive response from the crowd allaying their own concerns.
At the base of the steps, Mithian stopped her horse. Her eyes sparkled at her awaiting father. While she still wished Kay had lived to greet them as well, she was glad for what they had. She felt elated over the love and support at least in that place. Rather than give into it, she strode regally toward him. "Good afternoon, Sire."
"Good afternoon, Mithian. How was the ride from Camelot, Daughter?" Rodor queried before pulling her into a warm embrace. "I apologize but it is good to have you back."
"No apologies necessary, Father. Our ride went well thank you," she assured him. She sank into the harbor of her father's arms reveling in his renewed strength and vigor. "And I know Merlin does too."
"Ah yes!" Rodor looked over the group toward the waiting Prince-to-be. He grinned and crossed the remaining steps to the younger man. "Greetings, my Son. And please no more doubts, you are my son now." He pulled Merlin into a welcoming embrace. "Welcome home, Merlin."
"Thank you, Sire. I only wish to serve you and our people," Merlin assured the older man while returning the embrace.
"I believe you have already proven that quality well. For now, enjoy. We shall have enough time for such matters later. By embracing Princess Mithian and our subjects as you have, you make me happy," Rodor declared proudly. He inspected Merlin's armor and surcoat before giving his approval. "The colors suit you well, I think."
"I can only hope, Sire. Thank you," Merlin expressed while bowing to his new king and soon to be father-in-law. "I am proud to be a knight of the realm, Milord. Thank you for this honor."
Behind Rodor's right shoulder, Talesin smiled adding telepathically, Well put, Emrys. Well put indeed!
Rodor allowed Merlin the due show of reverence. "And I appreciate your diligence and humility, Merlin. They do you justice." He didn't mind if he allowed a proud smile to cross his face. It seems my advice made an impact. He exchanged a warm and approving glance with his daughter before adding to Merlin,
"I believe someone else is waiting to greet you as well?" He motioned toward Hunith. "Go on, my Boy."
"Thank you," Merlin reiterated while adding a small nod of his head. He rushed over to his mother while throwing his arms around her. "Mother, how are you?"
"Oh, Merlin! This is so overwhelming! You don't have to hide any more!" Hunith embraced him with relief and joy.
"Yes! Finally!" He cherished the contact finally being able to sharing another roof with her for the first time in a decade but what seemed like a lifetime to him. He fought back happy tears.
"You deserve it." Hunith looked over his shoulder toward the waiting Princess. "You too, Princess. Please. Share the moment if we may?"
"Of course, Milady." Mithian joined the embrace relishing the pleasure and warmth in it rather than the pain and anguish of the recent past. "I trust you are getting adjusted to your new quarters?"
"It is so much! The King is so gracious. I can't say enough thanks," Hunith expressed in awe and wonder.
"It is our pleasure. Thank you for being here with us," Mithian assured her while adding a gentle kiss for the elder's brow. "And of course our thanks to Camelot for their assistance in all things."
"Well put, my Daughter," Rodor concurred. He turned to the waiting guests. "Welcome to Nemeth and Whitgate, my Friends. Once again, King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, our doors are open to you and your retinue. Thanks to you and your knights for escorting Princess Mithian and Prince Merlin back to us."
"Thank you, King Rodor. It is our genuine pleasure to take care of our friends. We appreciate your hospitality and the opportunity to share in your grand moments on the morrow," Arthur replied earnestly while clasping hands with his host.
"On that note, shall we go inside? Accomodations have been made," Rodor invited while leading them all inside of the palace proper much to the approval of the assembled throng.
It seemed a good omen for all things concerned…..