Chapter 74
The hours flashed by that day. After the combined ceremony, the events unfolded one after the other. The handshakes and well wishes in the chamber occupied a couple of hours. A quick meal with Queens Annis and Elena resulted in new treaties. A chain of other diplomatic overtures occupied the new couple almost every minute as different faces jabbered on about different (and often times opposing) interests.
Everyone it seemed had an angle to pursue. Everyone wanted to turn some Nemethian issue to their advantage…..
In those meetings, Merlin admittedly sat and watched for the most part. He felt so much like a fish out of water. Occasionally he'd interject a comment or observation when asked. Still he remained silent for the most part; his eyes taking in every nuance and expression. His ears drank in every inflection and tone.
Still because of his skilled wife and partner, he could do so….
Mithian and Rodor steered the ship that day diverting attention away from the new Prince. They realized that Merlin would need a lengthy apprenticeship to add onto his own experience at Arthur's side. Still they did the lion's share and brought him in where appropriate.
And so it went….
[Private Meeting Room—Before Dinner]
Merlin leaned up against a wall feeling almost completely numb at that point. His mind swam with all of the details he'd heard. He shook his head and closed his eyes while trying to shut it all out. "Wow."
"Not as easy as it looks when you have the reins, is it?" Mithian supposed with a slightly teasing lilt to her voice. She held a couple of goblets of water. "I need a drink. I figured you did too." She smirked and handed him one.
"Thanks." He gulped heartily from his goblet. He grinned at her. "Once again, I'm reminded of how amazing you are."
"How nice to hear." She grinned at him. "Don't tell me Gawain and Arthur advised you to butter me up before tonight…."
He rolled his eyes. "No! Well…okay…they did." He put his hand up defensively. "But that's not what I meant!"
She rubbed his shoulder. "I know what you meant, Merlin. You're amazing too, you know." She let her eyes sparkle into his.
"I don't feel amazing." He snorted self-depreciatingly at himself. "You want the truth?"
She peered deeply into his eyes. "Always."
"I used to think I was so wise. Arthur will admit that I have occasionally flashes of wisdom amidst acting like an idiot. Today I felt like that bloody idiot, Mithian! Maybe he was right," Merlin admitted. "And you? You're like this mistress. You take in everything. You probe their arguments. You discover the kinks in their strategy. Then you formulate your own plan." He shook his head. "Dealing with Meleagant for example. Now that was a master stroke."
"You overlook that I spent a week rotting downstairs while that man usurped Father's throne. He tried several times to seduce me. As you know, he tried to have me burned at the stake. I was able to control my anger and channel it," she reminded him. "I know that snake and what he thinks. I also know that he needs support against his nobles back in Cawdor. I used that to our advantage. So did Father."
"As I said before, it's impressive," Merlin repeated.
She rolled her eyes and drank from her cup. "And yet you're taking it all in. First step to learning is to realize that you don't know what you thought you did. Then you can start to experience things. Don't think I wasn't watching you. At least you weren't blurting out foolish statements or provoking things. I saw you restrain yourself at least five times this morning. You sat back and let us take the lead. You watched everything. Father will probably compliment you at some point. I am now."
"I wish I felt in your league, Mithian," he lamented.
She snorted.
"What?" He tensed defensively once again.
She sighed. "Merlin, now you're understanding what Master Talesin said the other day. Do you know that this is how I feel about my magic when you're around? It overwhelms me what you can do. I am struggling to control my gifts much less use them in a somewhat sensible fashion! You…" She shook her head and pushed her fingers outward. "You go 'poof', cast a spell and then everything's settled." She coughed. "I wish I could do that."
"You will. Just give it time and practice. You already did great in Camelot and with your ability to cross dimensions. Just have confidence," he assured her.
She giggled. "I rest my case." She rubbed his arm. "Be patient and keep doing what you were doing today. It's taken me a decade to gain as much experience as I have now. I know you didn't get your experience overnight with magic either. Meantime maybe we can help each other?"
"Try and stop me from doing so." He rested his head against her right shoulder. He peered up affectionately into her dark eyes.
"And try stopping me from doing the same. We're partners now, Merlin. We complete each other. We have to be here for each other," she asserted. "And that's what gave me the strength to deal with those officials today. I knew Father and you were both there with me. That makes me feel so secure."
"Secure? Really?" he queried while feeling dumbfounded.
"Yes secure. Just don't let it swell your head or anything. I don't want another Arthur on my hands," she teased.
"NOOO! I don't want to be a prat or a cabbage head! Somebody please stab me first!" he protested mock-seriously.
They both broke out laughing hysterically eliciting several incredulous look ins by the palace staff. If they hadn't been holding onto each other, they might've fallen onto the floor due to their raucous response.
"S…stop, Merlin…." She forced herself to quit laughing herself enough to reassert a mindfulness of the situation. "You…you don't know what someone will relay back to Arthur…."
"He knows what I think of him. Just like I know he thinks I'm an idiot." Merlin shrugged and sipped again from his drink.
"But you aren't his valet anymore, Merlin. You're a Prince now. Words like that can start a war. Remember what Father said," she lectured slightly. Then she smirked. Actually he's more of a clod pole than a cabbage head. Still let's keep this stuff in here. Okay?
Okay, he conceded while wiping a tear from his eye and catching his breath.
All part of that experience we were just talking about, Merlin. She kissed his cheek lovingly. "See? You picked up my spirits."
"I think we did that for each other," he clarified.
"And so we did," she relented. She noted Britomart watching them from the doorway. "Yes, Lady Britomart? What may we do for you?"
"Pardon me, Milady. The guests have been seated in the main banquet hall. Gawain and I were sent to bring you there," the new knight explained. "Let's get you back there. I don't want him having an excuse to find the casks beforehand if you get my meaning?" She rolled her eyes.
"Yes I believe I do," Mithian concurred. She glanced at her husband. Remember we still have the council meeting in the morning. Please don't get drunk.
I won't. I want to be at my best for you tonight as well, he assured her.
The Princess blushed bright red over that comment allowing a dreamy smile onto her face.
"Now I know Gawain said something to him," Britomart insinuated knowingly. "Oh and by the way, King Arthur told me to tell you, Prince Merlin, that you're still a clod pole and the laziest valet he's ever had."
"Oh great. They heard me," Merlin groused knowing he'd never hear the end of it.
"Just King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and a few of us knights. He understands of course. Just remember what King Rodor said to us back in Camelot, my Prince. Forgive me for overstepping."
"No offense taken. You're looking out for us," he assured her. "Let's get to the feast, shall we?" He took his wife's hand and led her toward the banquet hall.
While a few lessons had been learned and exchanged, the couple had taken another step toward being equals…and isn't that what mattered overall?