Chapter 76 [Just Before the Impromptu Proposal]

Britomart hustled the newlyweds from the meeting room to the dining chamber. She could almost perceive the guests' impatience building therein. She anticipated that Rodor was getting antsy as well.

And then there was the possibility that Gawain could be lost too…or rather searching for the cask….

That oaf's probably floundering around! The new knight fumed to herself split between frustration and worry over her comrade. She peered inside to find the group still talking over drinks. "Everyone's still talking."

"That's the way these affairs usually go," Mithian presumed.

"At least I don't have to wait on them," Merlin noted somberly and with relief.

"I'll check on matters in there. Hopefully Gawain hasn't found the ale yet," Britomart informed them both.

"Good luck," Merlin noted knowing their friend from longtime experience.

Britomart arched an eyebrow and surrendered a long sigh. Then she slipped into the chamber and allowed the door to shut behind her.

He leaned back against the wall and stared at the ceiling in frustration. While understanding that Rodor wanted his celebration, he would have preferred a private celebration with Mithian. He could almost imagine an intimate dinner in her bed chamber. He could almost smell hearty portions of roast with heaping portions of potatoes and carrots steaming into the early evening air. Warmed mulled cider tickled the nostrils; its cinnamon undertones teasing his sense.

Across the small table, her eyes glittered through the flickering candlelight; the dark beauty therein accentuated by the flame's shifting brightness. Her face seemed more striking and defined by the shadows. Her lips quivered almost begging his to join them in another embrace.

Unfortunately Reality beckoned….

"It's all right, Merlin," she assured him. "We will have our time too." She smiled gently.

"I know." He shrugged. "I just want it to be right now."

She nodded in understanding. "We fought for the moment. We want to enjoy it. And we are." She sighed. "Royal life is one of service and shows. People demand their time in exchange for all of this." She spread her hands wide to encompass everything they could see. "As a former valet, you should know this. Nothing's that simple. At least we have each other."

"We do." He smiled at her, letting his eyes glitter into hers. He leaned close allowing his lips to brush soft amorous strokes across hers. When he pulled back, he noted, "I was feeling bold."

She grinned at him. "Well now…I shall have to reward you for that." Her eyes sparkled ever so sultry at him. Just wait until we get back to our room, my Warlock.

Oh really?

She arched her eyebrow. Her grin spread across the length of her entire face. You'll just have to wait and see. Now won't you? She pecked him on the cheek. "Just don't let them get you drunk."

He rolled his eyes almost hearing Gaius' words. "You get a whiff of a tavern maid's skirt and it'll get you drunk!"

She giggled.

"Now that's really not fair," he protested.

"Well you let it practically hang out across your thoughts, Merlin. You don't think I'm not going to pick up on it?" She snorted good-naturedly. "Gaius cares about you. So do I."

"And I care about you."

"Even if it is true."

He rolled his eyes. "What's true?"

"That even a whiff of alcohol gets you tipsy," she pointed out clearly exulting in the moment. "But we just get to care about you is all. Part of my role." She kissed him again on the cheek.

"And I will find something to care about too. Now won't I?" he insinuated suggestively.

"Oh really?" Again her eyebrow arched at that statement.

"Part of my role," he declared with satisfaction.

Before he could continue, Britomart's voice bellowed through the closed oaken door, "Just what I said! You don't! You go and carouse and act like the bloody demon out there! Some of us actually care and are responsible! Can you make a decision? Did you seriously look for the Prince and Princess?"

"Now wait a bloody minute! I DID! And I DO CARE!" Gawain's voice retorted just as loudly. "You want me to make a serious decision?"

"YES!" she fired back.

"FINE!" he groused.

Merlin grimaced. "Ouch! We really should go in there."

Mithian sighed deeply. "So much for everyone behaving themselves on our wedding day." She ground her teeth. "She won't back down now."

"Neither will Gawain," he affirmed knowingly. He rubbed his forehead knowingly before getting to his feet. "We really need to step in."

"Merlin, we can't! There are others in there who can stop it and…." She disagreed not wanting to deal with her father's wrath over ruining the pageantry. Now she began to share in the headache Merlin felt. Bad enough we had our mistake in judgment. Now they are too?

Then Britomart yelled "You call that a proposal?"

"I asked, didn't I?" Gawain retorted not believing that the words actually came out.

"What am I going to do with you? HONESTLY! So that's what I merit?" Britomart protested vehemently; her own inner frustration exploding into view with the ferocity of an angry volcano.

"Hey! I LOVE YOU! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ELSE IS THERE?" Gawain insisted demonstratively.

"Still think there are other people who can handle this mess?" Merlin supposed feeling increasingly helpless over the situation. "Where the bloody blazes are Arthur and the knights? They should deal with it."

"Not everyone's you or me, Merlin," Mithian pointed out. She could clearly see his point now however. "Maybe we should go in before…." She reached for the door latch slowly.

"Princess, don't!" an unfamiliar voice pleaded from down the hall.

The two sorcerers wheeled around to discover a young man hustling toward them in an emerald tunic and dark breeches. The latter's face wore a desperate expression across it.

"Gimwald, please," Mithian assured him. "Prince Merlin and I can…."

"The King would be even more displeased if you both broke with tradition! Please!" Gimwald emphasized.

"Our banquet's going to bloody hell and you care about that?" Merlin inquired in disbelief.

"I mean no disrespect, my Prince. I just…." Gimwald quivered in fear. He got down on his knees and put his face to the ground.

"It's all right, Gimwald. You're doing your duty," Mithian reassured the apprehensive young man. "Rise please."

"Th…Thank you, Milady." Gimwald rose warily; his eyes watching Merlin much as he might a coiled serpent.

"I'm not going to hurt you. It's not you that I'm angry at," Merlin explained. He could clearly see how he'd let his emotions get the better of himself.

He saw how things could have been for him when he was in Gimwald's place at Arthur's court.

Shame burned in his breast. He sighed and slumped against the wall. "Can this get any better?"

"Milord, I apologize…"

"No, Gimwald, you were doing your duty. I directed my frustration at you." Merlin offered the servant a contrite expression. "I am the one who owes you the apology."

Gimwald stared incredulously at the new Prince not sure of how to take those words. As part of the royal court, the nobles and advisors had rained abuse down on his head. He'd become accustomed to shrugging off said-punishment and abuse even if he didn't deserve it.

And here the new Prince, a man with great magic…a warlock who could reduce him to a pile of ash with a look… was apologizing for it?

"Milord, I…appreciate that. Thank you." Gimwold bowed to him in appreciation albeit with elements of apprehension mixed in.

She smiled. Once again Merlin's generosity and warmth overwhelmed her. She sucked in a dreamy breath. Despite the dismay and discord occurring in the chamber, her heart felt at ease…as if it floated on a celestial bed of warm air. Once more she knew she'd made the right choice in him.

"You're welcome," Merlin assured the other man. "I've served King Arthur of Camelot as you would serve me. If anything, I should remember that if I want loyalty, it needs to be given as well. Thank you for being that, Gimwald."

"Of course, my Prince." Gimwald bowed to the couple with respect and admiration. As he rose again, he saw Regis, the royal herald, signaling him. "It is time. We should get ready for your entrance, my Prince and Princess."

At that moment, cheers and wolf whistles erupted from the chamber.

"What's going on in there?" she inquired.

"Guess we'd best find out together?" Merlin supposed while offering his hand.

She squeezed it and kissed him once again. "It had better be together."

"Can't think of any other way, right?" he supposed as Gimwald opened the door for them. He grinned. "Thank you."

Gimwald nodded courteously. "Regis will announce us, my Prince and Princess."

The newlyweds exchanged anxious glances. Their pulse rates quickened by the second. Their hearts beat faster. Just like any other couple at this juncture, their anxiety seemed to be getting the better of them or so it seemed…..